Top Ten Most Stressed Cities in the UK

New research conducted by CBD retailers has identified the top ten most stressed cities in the UK, with Preston emerging as the most stressed.

The study analyzed 233 stress and anxiety-related search terms using Google Keyword Planner, revealing that Preston had the highest number of monthly searches for stress-related terms per 100,000 people.

Factors contributing to this high stress level in Preston include an unemployment rate of 4%, which is above the national average, and high anxiety levels reported by 28% of respondents.

Blackburn follows closely, with significant rates of depression and unemployment, making it the second most stressed city.

Liverpool, ranking third, faces substantial hardship, with nearly a third of children living in poverty.

Burnley and East Kilbride also feature prominently on the list, with high rates of deprivation and long-term health conditions contributing to their residents’ stress levels.

Other cities in the top ten include Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Reading, and Portsmouth, each grappling with unique socioeconomic challenges.

For instance, Bristol has a significant proportion of households with long-term health conditions, and Portsmouth is notably densely populated with high crime rates.

Stress by the Numbers

Preston: With 2,006 monthly searches per 100,000 people, Preston leads the list of the most stressed cities. The city faces an unemployment rate of 4%, and 28% of residents report high anxiety levels.
Blackburn: Ranking second, Blackburn has 1,979 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. The town has a depression rate of 16.2%, significantly higher than the national average, and an unemployment rate of 4.7%.
Liverpool: In third place, Liverpool sees 1,968 searches per 100,000 people. Nearly 29% of children in the city live in poverty, highlighting the severe socioeconomic challenges faced by residents.
Burnley: With 1,864 searches per 100,000 residents, Burnley is the fourth most stressed city. The area is ranked 11th out of 317 authorities in England for deprivation.
East Kilbride: Ranking fifth, East Kilbride has 1,752 searches per 100,000 people. Over a quarter of adults suffer from long-term physical or mental health conditions.
Bristol: In sixth place, Bristol has 1,668 searches per 100,000 residents. About 32% of households include someone with a long-term health condition.
Manchester: The seventh most stressed city, Manchester, sees 1,665 searches per 100,000 people. Despite its cultural attractions, the city is ranked as the sixth most deprived in England.
Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle ranks eighth with 1,576 searches per 100,000 residents. The city has an unemployment rate of 5.2% and is the 53rd most deprived area in England.
Reading: In ninth place, Reading has 1,535 searches per 100,000 people. A study found that one in ten residents feels always or often lonely.
Portsmouth: Completing the top ten, Portsmouth sees 1,493 searches per 100,000 residents. The city is densely populated, with crime rates 48% higher than the UK average.