New study names South Africans as World’s Biggest Overthinkers

A new study from MoneySuperMarket reveals which countries spend the most time overthinking and what’s keeping them up at night.

South Africa ranks first in the ‘Overthinking rankings‘. South Africa and Poland lead the list of nations most prone to overthinking, while Germany, the UK and Japan are among the least.

Cape {town} Etc Discount Alert! Unlock Cape Town’s best experiences for half the price! From unforgettable adventures to hidden gems and mouthwatering restaurants, these limited-time deals won’t last long. Snag your discount before they’re gone!

Everyone worries sometimes. Whether it’s about money, relationships, or what the future holds. When those thoughts become constant, they can affect everyday life, impacting sleep, focus and overall wellbeing.  

To understand how worrying affects wellbeing, life insurance expert MoneySuperMarket conducted a global survey of over 3,800 people across 20 countries to find out how much time people spend dwelling on the past or worrying about the future – and what they worry about most.

The most and least overthinking nations 

When it comes to overthinking, South Africa is leading the way, with 75% of people admitting to overthinking either often or very often.  

Countries that overthink the most 

1. South Africa (75%) 

2. Poland (71%) 

3. Greece (70%) 

4. Mexico (68%) 

5. Portugal (67%) 

Even at the bottom of the list, the countries that overthink the least, there isn’t much calm, with Germany, in last place, still seeing more than half of people (54%), frequently overthinking.  

Countries that overthink the least 

1. Germany (54%) 

2. UK            (56%) 

3. Japan       (56%) 

4. USA          (56%) 

5. Australia (57%) 

What the world worries about the most 

Money and finances dominate global worries, especially in South Africa (81%), Mexico (78%) and India (72%). In contrast, European nations such as Portugal, France and Greece are more likely to overthink relationships. 

Global citizens spend 22 days a year overthinking 

MoneySuperMarket’s research revealed that the average person spends nearly 90 minutes each day dwelling on areas of their lives often out of their control. 

That’s over 10 hours a week, or the equivalent of 22 days each year overthinking. 

In South Africa, the country most prone to overthinking, people spend 135 minutes per day overthinking, around 50% more than the global average.  

Mexico (114 minutes) and Portugal (102 minutes) follow close behind. Whereas, the UK (73 minutes) and Germany (72 minutes) recorded the lowest time spent overthinking, around 16 minutes below average.  

Overthinking is stealing our sleep 

Overthinking is stealing our sleep. On average, people lose 27.9 minutes of sleep every night because of it. South Africa reports the biggest loss (42.4 minutes), followed by Mexico (31.5 minutes) and Portugal (30.3 minutes).

Even the countries at the lower end lose at least 20 minutes a night.  

How the world copes  

Coping mechanisms for overthinking differed between nations, but some key themes came to light: 

• Exercise and physical activity                             – 51% 

• Entertainment (TV, gaming, music, reading) – 49% 

• Spending time in nature                                      – 44% 

• Talking to friends and family                              – 42% 

Only 9% of people globally turn to professional therapy as a solution, with most choosing self-managed solutions.  

Kara Gammell, Life Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, says, ‘Overthinking can take a real toll, from lost sleep to reduced focus and productivity. Our research shows this is something people everywhere are dealing with. Whether it’s financial stress or social pressures, these worries are universal. ‘ 

‘As the world continues to face issues out of our control, the research reveals just how burdened we are feeling by the mental noise. Finding healthy ways to manage them is key.’