It is the joy of everyone to live in a free stress city and enjoy good lifestyle and live a longer and healthy lifestyle? However, some people unfortunately have managed to find themselves in stressful city. Most of these stressful cities have the highest population in their various countries and considered as the major business and commercial area where businesses thrive.
These cities are good for business but very stressful to live comfortably. Recently, a study was conducted by UK-based dry-cleaning and laundering service “ZIPJET” which led to the list of the world’s most stressful cities in the planet. Factors considered by the researchers include traffic levels, infrastructure, pollution level, finance, citizen’s wellbeing, public transport, percentage of green spaces, debt level, physical and mental health, over population, crime level, unemployment and the financial status of citizens. So, ladies and gentlemen not to waste much of your time, we present to you the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
10. New Delhi, India 
New Delhi is an urban district of Delhi which serves as the capital of India and seat of all three branches of the Government of India. The foundation stone of the city was laid by Emperor George V during the Delhi Durbar of 1911. It was designed by British architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker. The new capital was inaugurated on 13th February 1931 by Viceroy and Governor of India Lord Irwin. Although colloquially Delhi and New Delhi are used interchangeably to refer to the national Capital Territory of Delhi, these are two distinct entities, with New Delhi forming a small part of Delhi. The National Capital Region is a much larger entity comprising the entire NCT along with adjoining districts in neighboring states. New Delhi, India has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 10 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
9. Manila, Philippines 
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines and a densely populated city on the island of Luzon, which mixes Spanish colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers. The city of Manila was founded on 24th June 1571 by Spanish Conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The date is regarded as the city’s official founding date. Manila was also the seat of power for most of the country’s colonial rulers. It is home to many historic sites, some of which were built during the 16th century. Manila has the first University in the world established in 1590, first light station established in 1642, first lighthouse tower established in 1846, first water system established in 1878, first hotel established in 1889, first electricity established in 1895, first flyover established in 1930, first stock exchange established in 1927, amongst others. It is considered as one of the oldest city in the world. Manila, Philippines has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 9 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
8. Dhaka, Bangladesh 
Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh in southern Asia. Set beside the Buriganga River, it is at the center of national government, trade and culture. The 17th-century old city was the Mughal capital of Bengal, and many palaces and mosques remain. American architect Louis Khan’s National Parliament House complex typifies the huge, fast-growing modern metropolis. Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. It is one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world with a population of 18.89 million people in the Greater Dhaka Area. Dhaka is the economic, political and cultural center of Bangladesh. It is one of the major cities of South Asia, the largest city in Eastern South Asia and one of the largest cities among OIC countries. The city was once called the Venice of the East. Under the British Empire the city saw the introduction of electricity, railway, cinemas, Western-style universities and colleges and a modern water supply. It was declared as the legislative capital of Pakistan in 1962. In 1971, it became the capital of an independent Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 8 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
7. Karachi, Pakistan 
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan and one of the most populous cities in the world. Karachi is the country’s industrial and financial centre and is considered as the cultural, economic, philanthropic, educational, and political hub of the country. Karachi is also Pakistan’s most cosmopolitan city. It is situated on the Arabian Sea. Karachi serves as a transport hub, and is home to Pakistan’s two largest seaports and the Port of Karachi as well as the Pakistan’s busiest airport, Jinnah International Airport. Karachi is one of the world’s fastest growing cities. The city has a formal economy estimated to be worth $113 billion as of 2014 which is the largest in Pakistan. Karachi collects over a third of Pakistan’s tax revenue and generates approximately 20% of Pakistan’s GDP. Karachi, Pakistani has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 7 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
6. Cairo, Egypt 
Cairo the capital city of Egypt is set on the Nile River. At its heart are Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. Cairo is the capital of Egypt. The city’s metropolitan area is one of the largest in Africa and 15th-largest in the world, and is associated with ancient Egypt, as the famous Giza pyramid complex and the ancient city of Memphis are located in its geographical area. Located near the Nile Delta, modern Cairo was founded in 969 AD by the Fatimid dynasty. Cairo has long been a centre of the region’s political and cultural life, and is titled the city of a thousand minarets for its preponderance of Islamic architecture. Cairo has a population of over 9 million spread over 3,085 square kilometers. Cairo is by far the largest city in Egypt. Cairo, Egypt has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 6 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
5. Tehran, Iran 
Tehran is the capital city of Iran, in the north of the country with a population of around 8.7 million in the city and 15 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran. Tehran is the most populous city in Iran and the western Asia, and has the second largest metropolitan area in the Middle East. It is ranked 24th in the world by the population of its metropolitan area. Tehran was first chosen as the capital of Iran by Agha Mohammad Khan of the Qajar dynasty in 1796, in order to remain within close reach of Iran’s territories in the Caucasus, before being separated from Iran as a result of the Russo-Iranian Wars and to avoid the vying factions of the previously ruling Iranian dynasties. The capital has been moved several times throughout the history, and Tehran is the 32nd national capital of Iran. Tehran is home to many historical collections, including the royal complexes of Golestan, Sa’dabad, and Niavaran, where the two last dynasties of the former Imperial State of Iran were seated. Tehran, Iran has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 5 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
4. Dakar, Senegal 
Dakar is the capital of Senegal in West Africa. It is an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Its traditional Médina quarter is home to the Grande Mosquée, marked by a towering minaret. The Musée Théodore Monod displays cultural artifacts including clothing, drums, carvings and tools. The city’s vibrant nightlife is inspired by the local mbalax music. Dakar is the capital and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert peninsula on the Atlantic coast on the African mainland. The city of Dakar has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 2.45 million. The area around Dakar was settled in the 15th century. France took over the island in 1677. Following the abolition of the slave trade and French annexation of the mainland area in the 19th century, Dakar grew into a major regional port and a major city of the French colonial empire. In 1902, Dakar replaced Saint-Louis as the capital of French West Africa. From 1959 to 1960, Dakar was the capital of the short-lived Mali Federation. In 1960, it became the capital of the independent Republic of Senegal. Dakar, Senegal has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 4 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
3. Kabul, Afghanistan 
Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan, located in the eastern section of the country. It is also a municipality, forming part of the greater Kabul Province. According to estimates in 2019, the population of Kabul is 5.2 million, which includes all the major ethnic groups of Afghanistan. Kabul is located high up in a narrow valley between the Hindu Kush Mountains, with an elevation of 1,790 metres making it one of the highest capitals in the world. The city is said to be over 3,500 years old, mentioned since at least the time of the Achaemenid Empire. Kabul became the capital of Afghan Empire in 1776, during the reign of Timur Shah Durrani, the son of Ahmad Shah Durrani. Kabul is known for its gardens and palaces. It was also formerly a mecca for young western hippies. Despite the many terrorist attacks by anti-state elements, the city is developing and was the fifth fastest-growing city in the world as of 2012. Kabul, Afghanistan has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 3 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
2. Baghdad, Iraq 
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq. The population of Baghda, as of 2016, is approximately 8,765,000, making it the largest city in Iraq, the second largest city in the Arab world, and the second largest city in Western Asia. Located along the Tigris River, the city was founded in the 8th century and became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. Within a short time of its inception, Baghdad evolved into a significant cultural, commercial, and intellectual center for the Islamic world. Baghdad was the largest city of the middle Ages for much of the Abbasid era, peaking at a population of more than a million. The city was largely destroyed at the hands of the Mongol Empire in 1258, resulting in a decline that would linger through many centuries due to frequent plagues and multiple successive empires. With the recognition of Iraq as an independent state in 1938, Baghdad gradually regained some of its former prominence as a significant center of Arab culture. As of 2018, Baghdad was listed as one of the least hospitable places in the world to live, ranked by Mercer as the worst of 231 major cities as measured by quality-of-life. Baghdad, Iraq has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 2 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
1. Lagos, Nigeria 
Lagos is a city in Nigeria and was the former capital city of Nigeria during colonial rule in Nigeria. The city is the most populous in Nigeria and on the African continent. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and one of the most populous urban areas. Lagos is a major financial centre in Africa. The megacity has the fourth-highest GDP in Africa and houses one of the largest and busiest seaports on the continent. Due to rapid urbanization, the city expanded to the west of the lagoon to include areas in the present day Lagos Mainland. This led to the classification of Lagos into two main areas, the Island, which was the initial city of Lagos, before it expanded into the area known as the Mainland. This city area was governed directly by the Federal Government through the Lagos City Council, until the creation of Lagos State in 1967, which led to the splitting of Lagos city into the present day seven Local Government Areas. Lagos became the capital of Nigeria since its amalgamation in 1914. Lagos currently has a population of over 21 million. Lagos, Nigeria has over population, high level of traffic and currently number 1 on our list of the top 10 most stressful cities in the world.
Austine Ikeru is a Professional Blogger, YouTuber, Forex Trader and Entrepreneur. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok