Perfectionism Statistics

Key Takeaways

1. 163% of adults said they want more time to complete tasks in a 2024 time-use survey
2. 227% of workers reported spending extra time rechecking or revising work because they are concerned about errors (2022)
3. 322.7% of U.S. adults reported using alcohol to cope with stress at least once per month (2021)
4. 446% of U.S. employees reported that they have difficulty disconnecting from work after hours at least several times per week (2023)
5. 541% of workers reported that their employer expects them to be “always available” for work communications (2021)
6. 640% of employees experience burnout at work “very often” or “always,” indicating workplace conditions that can be intensified by perfectionism
7. 76% of adults in England reported experiencing OCD symptoms in 2023
8. 813.3% of U.S. adults reported having suicidal thoughts in 2023
9. 97.2% of U.S. adults reported being diagnosed with depression (2019–2022 average)
10. 1014% of U.S. adults reported using behavioral health services (outpatient) in 2023
11. 1117.0% of adults with mental illness had unmet need for mental health care in 2022
12. 1252.7% of U.S. adults with any mental illness reported a treatment gap (no treatment) for at least one year between 2019 and 2021
13. 1334% of U.S. adults reported that stress sometimes or often affects their ability to get enough sleep (2023)
14. 1410% of adults in the U.S. report taking prescription sleep medication, which can be used as an indicator of sleep disruption linked with stress and anxiety correlates like perfectionism
15. 1536% of people report being more likely to procrastinate when they fear making mistakes, consistent with perfectionism-related fear of failure

With so many people rechecking, overworking, and fearing failure, perfectionism is likely worsening stress and burnout for millions.