Survey reveals South Africa's rank amongst world’s biggest overthinkers

Updated Jan. 14, 2026, 6:49 p.m. | By Jacaranda FM

Don't let this result keep you awake at night.

Study reveals South Africa's rank amongst world's biggest overthinkers — Getty Images

Every person has their own worries.

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Thoughts about work, money and relationships run through your mind, but what happens when they become repetitive, going round and round?

Overthinking isn't something that should be ignored or considered a small problem.

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It can reach a level where it interferes with your normal routines, your quality of sleep, and your overall well-being.

Pia Callesen, a therapist and metacognitive specialist, explains overthinking as follows: "A problem keeps popping up in your mind – for instance, a health worry or a dilemma at work – and you just can’t stop dwelling on it, as you desperately try to find some meaning or solution.

In my daily work as a metacognitive clinical psychologist, I encounter many people who, in trying to find answers or meaning, or in attempting to make the right decision, spend most of their waking hours scrutinising their minds for solutions. Ironically, in this process of trying to figure out how to proceed in life, they come to a standstill."

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And if you ever think that you are overthinking alone, that is definitely not the case.

MoneySuperMarket, the UK’s “most recommended price comparison website”, has released the results of its global research survey.

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The company surveyed 3,868 global participants across 20 countries, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of modern overthinking habits.

The study examined how often people dwell on the past, feel consumed by thoughts about the present or worry about the future.

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It offered some intriguing insights into how much time people spend overthinking and what triggers it.

Key Findings

Overthinking is a common habit worldwide.
People spend an average of 89 minutes a day overthinking globally.
South Africa (44%) and India (37%) reported the highest increases in overthinking compared to the previous year (2024).
The UK (56%) and Germany (54%) are the least overthinking nations.
Money and finances are the leading causes of overthinking globally.
Overthinking is not limited to specific cultures or regions.
It is increasingly part of daily life in an uncertain world.