Canadian women stressed, but far less than Indian women: Neilsen survey

While most Canadian women report being stressed and overworked, the percentages are significantly higher in emerging countries.

Canada ranks 12th in a new survey conducted by the Neilsen Company with 52 per cent of women saying they are time-strained.

"Women across the globe are achieving higher levels of education, joining the workforce in greater numbers and contributing more to the household income," said Susan Whiting of Nielsen in a release. "Women tell Nielsen they feel empowered to reach their goals and get what they want, but at the same time, this level of empowerment results in added stress."

All three of the countries with the highest percentage of stressed women are in emerging markets. India is at the top with 87 per cent, followed by Mexico at 74 per cent and Russia at 69 per cent.

"Many women today are wearing multiple hats by balancing both career and home/family responsibilities," states the report. "In many emerging markets, this revolutionary change is in the early stages of development, while in developed markets, this evolution has been on-going for a longer period of time."

As for developed countries, the numbers are highest in Spain, France and Italy at 66, 65 and 64 per cent respectively.

The study also shows in both sets of countries, the majority of women believe they have more opportunities than their mothers did.

While women in emerging countries believe their daughters will have more opportunities, the majority in developed countries believe opportunities for their daughters will be the same.

The survey is part of the Women of Tomorrow Study, which examined 6,500 women in 21 countries between February and April of this year.

(AFP Photo)