Stress has become an increasingly common experience. The latest global WIN survey, carried out in Peru by Datum, reveals that 42% of people in the world say they suffer from stress very or quite frequently, compared to 32% registered the previous year. Although part of this difference could be explained by changes in the formulation of the question, the increase is observed in 34 of the 39 countries evaluated in both measurements. The results show a trend that deserves attention, especially due to the causes behind this phenomenon.
In Peru, 35% of people report experiencing stress frequently, seven points more than in 2025. At the same time, those who claim to feel little or no stress decreased from 35% to 28%. Although the country is below the global average of 42% and the 45% registered in the Americas, the increase is significant. In the region, Chile tops the list with 56%, followed by Ecuador with 55%, the United States with 52% and Argentina with 50%.
In Peru, the national average hides important differences. While 46% of Peruvian women say they frequently experience stress, among men the proportion reaches only 24%. The 22-point gap is considerable and shows that this experience is not evenly distributed. Although the survey does not allow us to establish the causes of this difference, it invites us to examine how work, economic and family responsibilities can generate different pressures between men and women.
It is important to distinguish between stress and mental health. Stress is a natural response to pressure situations and does not in itself constitute a mental disorder. However, when it is intense or persistent, it can affect emotional and physical well-being, and increase the risk of developing mental health problems.
What is generating so much stress? In Peru, the main sources of concern are work (35%), economic difficulties (29%), health (25%) and family (23%), reasons that coincide with those identified at a global level and in relatively similar proportions. The differences appear in other factors. While in the world politics, international conflicts and excessive telephone use have some relevance as sources of stress, in Peru their incidence is considerably lower. This is interesting because, despite exposure to political problems and international events, the concerns that most affect Peruvians are linked to situations that directly affect their daily lives.
These results invite us to review the way in which stress is addressed. Usually, emphasis is placed on individual responsibility, through recommendations to rest, better organize time or develop healthy habits. However, when the main sources of concern are related to work and the economic situation, solutions cannot depend solely on individuals. Companies and governments also have an important role in generating conditions that contribute to reducing these pressures.
In the workplace, it is necessary to review workloads, promote flexibility and facilitate the reconciliation between professional and family responsibilities. Beyond offering wellness programs, it is about reducing conditions that generate pressure. From the State, promoting formal employment, improving access to health and reducing economic vulnerability can also contribute to alleviating these pressures.
Persistent stress can increase irritability, reduce patience, and make it difficult to regulate emotions. This can manifest itself in disproportionate reactions, arguments or less tolerance in everyday situations. Although we cannot attribute these behaviors solely to stress, it is worth considering how individual pressures can end up affecting coexistence. Stress not only affects those who experience it, but also the way we relate to others.
*El Comercio opens its pages to the exchange of ideas and reflections. In this plural framework, the Diario does not necessarily agree with the opinions of the columnists who sign them, although it always respects them.
