Work stress is a global problem. While it’s often associated with Western countries, the reality is that stress affects everyone, regardless of location, including people in Africa.
In the pursuit of livelihood, people devote a huge portion of their lives to work. However, in the struggle to make ends meet, many find themselves ensnared by stress.
Whether it’s the pressure to meet deadlines or the demands of a fast-paced environment, the sources of work-induced stress are plentiful.
Factors such as job insecurity, unrealistic expectations, and interpersonal conflicts in the workplace can heighten stress levels. In Africa, harsh economic realities like inflation and debt further compound these challenges.
Sadly, stress not only impacts individual health and happiness but also affects organizational productivity and, by extension, the prosperity of the country as a whole.
According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2023 Report, economic growth is slowing, and if we fail to boost global GDP, tackling every other problem becomes much more challenging.
The report estimates that low engagement costs the global economy $8.8 trillion. That’s 9% of global GDP – enough to make the difference between success and failure for humanity.
To avoid this loss, the report suggests a change in the way your people are managed. Leadership and management directly influence workplace engagement, and there is much that governments and organizations can do to help their employees thrive at work.
In Africa, Mauritius leads with the lowest percentage of stressed workers, standing at 22%. Meanwhile, Mozambique follows at 30%, with Kenya slightly higher at 31%.
Below are the 10 most stable countries for employees in Africa:
| 1 | Mauritius | 22% |
| 2 | Mozambique | 30% |
| 3 | Kenya | 31% |
| 4 | Namibia | 31% |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 32% |
| 6 | Algeria | 33% |
| 7 | Gabon | 34% |
| 8 | South Africa | 36% |
| 9 | Côte d’Ivoire | 37% |
| 10 | Mali | 37% |
