One third (32%) of the UK's working population has called in sick to work due to stress, 52% of those in the last year.
A new study from Friends Life, coinciding with National Stress Awareness Day on 7 November, has discovered 48% felt more stress since the onset of the UK financial crisis and are increasingly stressed about job security (49%) as there appears to be little sign of an improving economic situation.
David Williams, Director of Group Protection at Friends Life commented: "This study gives intriguing insights into stress, particularly the revelation that two thirds (67%) of 18 to 24 year olds and over half (54%) of 25 to 34 year olds who have called in to work sick due to stress have done so in the past twelve months alone.
"This is an extremely worrying number of young people who are starting their working life under strain and is something which needs to be monitored carefully."
Friends Life's findings were backed up by Group Risk Development (GRiD), which said 21% of employers feel stress/mental health issues are the biggest health risk to their business.
Managing stress was top priority in 2013 for 31% of firms next year, a 5% increase on last year's sample.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, commented: "Stress is often not taken seriously and overlooked as a main health risk for businesses, compared to acute medical conditions such as heart attack or cancer.
"Many employers in the private sector have a group income protection (GIP) scheme in place as part of their overall absence management strategy.
"Offering early intervention and rehabilitation support, GIP can offer effective interventions when dealing with stress-related and mental health issues."
Those in Northern Ireland feel the most stressed since the beginning of the UK's financial troubles, with a huge 70% feeling more stressed than four years ago. In contrast, just 40% of those living in the East Midlands have felt a rise in their stress levels.