A new global health survey has found that British women are the angriest in Europe, with a quarter reporting feelings of rage compared to just one in seven across the continent. The Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, which surveyed 76,232 women and girls in 2024, also found that 47 per cent of UK women feel more angry now than they did a year ago.
The findings have sparked debate about the underlying causes, which range from economic pressures to systemic failures. The cost of living crisis, exacerbated by Brexit and rising oil prices, disproportionately affects women due to persistent gender pay gaps. Women also bear the brunt of unpaid domestic labour, including childcare and elder care, bringing them into greater contact with underfunded public services.
Compounding these issues is a criminal justice system that fails to protect women. In 2024, only 2.7 per cent of rape reports resulted in charges, meaning perpetrators are almost guaranteed impunity. This, combined with a police force often criticised for incompetence, fuels a sense of injustice and rage.
Everyday experiences, such as street harassment, workplace sexual harassment, and the expectation to remain pleasant while shouldering unseen burdens, add to the frustration. Many women feel their anger is dismissed or mocked, which only deepens the resentment.
