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One in three women experience a "quarter-life" crisis
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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According to a new study recently conducted by a group of American scientists, every third woman over the age of 20 experiences the so-called “quarter-life crisis”.
This condition is understood as a “toxic cocktail” of financial problems, fear of unemployment, economic crisis, lack of permanent romantic relationships, the need for a quick marriage and a number of other reasons. According to experts from the large investment company Skandia, this crisis is currently record-breaking in the civilized world precisely because of the recent global financial crisis and the ongoing uncertainty in the financial markets. They maintain high unemployment and competition in the labor market.
The quarter-life crisis usually passes with the appearance of a stable job or when a woman gets married, but in rare cases it can last up to 30 years or even longer. Interestingly, young women with higher education are on average 2-3 times more susceptible to this condition than less educated women. The quarter-life crisis, by the way, is a completely clinical condition, the same as, for example, depression.
The symptoms of this disorder include regular nightmares, nervousness and loss of appetite. According to scientists, this crisis occurs mainly at that period in a woman's life when her ambitions are measured against her capabilities and a certain balance is achieved between them. Men are on average 3 times less susceptible to a quarter-life crisis, mainly because they are not under the pressure to get married and have children as soon as possible.
They also tend to have a much better idea of their career path in life; after graduating from college, they already have clearer plans regarding their future place of work and tend to worry less about such things.