Why South African professionals are more stressed than ever

South African professionals are facing a new era of stress, one that is no longer confined to busy periods or isolated pressures but embedded in the fabric of everyday life.

The 2025 Profmed Stress Index released on Thursday reveals a workforce grappling with financial strain, toxic workplace cultures, systemic instability and lifestyle disruptions, all converging to create a multi-dimensional and persistent stress burden.

Drawing on a decade of longitudinal data, the Index tracks how stress has evolved, from primarily financial concerns pre-2020, to pandemic-driven anxiety, and now to a complex mix of economic, workplace and lifestyle pressures.

A decade ago, stress among professionals was largely driven by work, family, health and finances. While significant, these pressures were often compartmentalised and considered manageable.

Today, the picture is markedly different. Financial pressure, workplace culture challenges, systemic economic strain and lifestyle disruptions are deeply interconnected, compounding one another rather than existing in isolation.

"The Stress Index offers one of the most consistent longitudinal views into how stress has evolved over the past decade and if anything, this year’s findings have reemphasised the pressing need for proactive, preventative support that can protect your health before it is compromised,” said Justine Lacy, spokesperson at Profmed.

The data shows that stress is taking a measurable toll on physical and mental health. Nearly 32% of respondents say rising pressure has affected their ability to exercise.

A further 33% report disrupted sleep, while just under 30% have experienced unhealthy eating patterns. Alarmingly, 44.05% say they feel overwhelmed despite actively trying to cope through exercise, mindfulness or therapy.

According to the study, healthcare and medical professionals report the highest stress levels at 41.81%, followed by professionals in finance and banking, legal services, the built environment and other sectors.

These industries are often characterised by high performance expectations, regulatory pressure and long working hours, conditions that have intensified in recent years.

Financial strain remains a dominant theme. While money worries were the leading stressor even before 2020, today they are layered with broader systemic concerns such as the rising cost of living, job insecurity and unreliable infrastructure.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many professionals experienced heightened fear around income loss and the health of loved ones. By 2022, economic downturn and structural instability overtook pandemic anxiety as the primary stress drivers.

The years that followed saw work-life imbalance and toxic workplace environments further amplify stress levels. What has emerged in 2025 is a professional class that feels under sustained, cumulative pressure rather than facing short-term spikes of strain.

The study found that substance use has also become a concerning coping mechanism.

Nearly 11% of respondents admit to using alcohol, caffeine, cannabis or other substances to manage stress. Of those, only 11% have successfully reduced their usage, while 17% do not believe they need to cut back — suggesting that unhealthy coping strategies are becoming normalised.

Perhaps most troubling is the gap between awareness and action. Almost half of respondents are concerned about the long-term impact of stress on their mental health, and a similar proportion are open to therapy or counselling.

Yet 29% say professional support is unaffordable. Time constraints and unsupportive work environments further limit access to help, leaving many to cope alone.

Lacy noted that while stress is inevitable in high-pressure careers, prolonged and intensifying stress has serious consequences.

What distinguishes 2025 from previous years is not simply higher stress levels, but the way stress has become background noise, something professionals quietly carry and normalise. Many push through, convincing themselves the pressure is temporary, even when warning signs accumulate.

The Stress Index highlights that stress is no longer an individual issue alone. Systemic factors, from economic uncertainty to workplace culture, are central contributors.

“Stress is not a personal weakness. It is a natural response to sustained pressure,” Lacy said.

“If we genuinely want healthier professionals, we can’t keep placing the responsibility solely on individuals to cope better. We need systems that step in earlier, and support people before stress takes hold.”

The 2025 Profmed Stress Index serves as a warning: when stress becomes normal, the cost is not only personal, but societal.

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