This year, a record number of voters will head to the polls globally, with at least 64 countries, representing about 49% of the world’s population, expected to hold national elections. With a slow economic outlook and many key political successions likely to have enormous implications for international relations, the economy and human rights, according to Salome Odhiambo, Lead Security Analyst, East and Southern Africa at International SOS, we are seeing heightened political unrest.   

“Often overlooked are the impacts of fears and concerns these events have on a wider population. In fact, political anxiety is on the rise due to factors like polarisation, uncertainty, and media bias, with more people finding it hard not to feel impacted by world events,” adds Odhiambo. “The convergence of political instability and economic volatility can have a negative impact on the mental health of individuals and communities.”

According to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace 2024 Report, some of the countries with the most stressed workers in Africa include Chad, Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana. More broadly, anxiety is also one of the most common mental health conditions in the working population and its origins are most often associated with chronic stress. 

Dr Chris van Straten, Global Health Advisor Clinical Governance at International SOS, adds: “Organisations with employees across various locations need to understand the nuanced nature of stress and anxiety on their workforce – whether from internal stressors or external events. And one of the risks to mental wellbeing is political anxiety.”

Report by Gallup