Last year’s global migration report by MoveHub showed that, out of the 30 countries surveyed, the UK had the highest rate of professionals leaving the country to be expats.

But where are they all going? And why?

Well, many believe that the busy London lifestyle has encouraged Brits to seek a more relaxed lifestyle overseas. With this in mind, we imagine that Zipjet’s new study – which reveals the most and least stressful countries in the world – is sure to be of interest to all those hoping to cure their overtime and commuter blues with a dash of wanderlust.

Read more: These are the world’s best countries if you want to live and work abroad

The study investigates which aspects of our lives bring us the most stress, concluding that cities with high rates of unemployment, debt, traffic and pollution are more likely to put a strain on our mental health.

In contrast, cities with plenty of green spaces and respect for gender equality were more likely to give their inhabitants a less stressful lifestyle.

So where should we go if we’re hoping to achieve a blissfully zen state of being? Take a look for yourselves...

10 least stressful cities in the world

Germany appears to reign supreme for being stress-less, with a whopping four of its cities making the cut.

Bordering countries such as Luxembourg and Austria are also considered the places to be for those hoping for a more carefree day-to-day. And, further afield, Australia’s Sydney promises a laid-back lifestyle filled with surfing, BBQs on the beach and all year round sunshine. 

1. Stuttgart, Germany
2. Luxembourg, Luxembourg
3. Hanover, Germany
4. Bern, Switzerland
5. Munich, Germany
6. Bordeaux, France
7. Edinburgh, United Kingdom
8. Sydney, Australia
9. Hamburg, Germany
10. Graz, Austria 

10 most stressful cities in the world

Although scenically beautiful and with much to recommend them in some ways, several of the destinations on the 'most stressful' list are not all that surprising, given armed conflict in the area and many being known for their oppression of women and minority groups.

Take a look for yourself below:

1. Baghdad, Iraq
2. Kabul, Afghanistan
3. Lagos, Nigeria
4. Dakar, Senegal
5. Cairo, Egypt 
6. Tehran, Iran
7. Dhaka, Bangladesh
8. Karachi, Pakistan
9. New Delhi, India
10. Manila, Philippines

We’d like think that every city has positive and negatives, but, in the meantime, we’re going to brush up on our GCSE German skills...

Images: iStock