Quick answer
What percentage of people fear public speaking?
Chapman's 2025 survey found that 33.7% of U.S. adults were afraid or very afraid of public speaking. This is a self-reported fear measure, not a clinical diagnosis or a global prevalence estimate. Other studies use different definitions and time periods.
There is no single percentage that describes everyone's fear of public speaking. In Chapman's 2025 U.S. survey, 33.7% reported being afraid or very afraid of public speaking. That is a self-reported fear measure, not the prevalence of a diagnosed disorder. Read the original results.
This reference separates recent survey findings from historical research and treatment evidence. Each number below includes its population, date, and source. Sources checked October 6, 2026. A review date does not make older data current.
Fear of public speaking statistics: source table
Use the linked finding to cite a specific row. These are separate measures, not parts of one combined estimate.
| Finding | What was measured | Population and publication | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33.7% | Afraid or very afraid of public speaking | U.S. adults age 18 and older; n = 1,015. 2025 publication. | Chapman 2025 |
| 28.6% | Afraid or very afraid of dying | U.S. adults age 18 and older; n = 1,015. 2025 publication. | Chapman 2025 |
| 21.2% | Lifetime fear of public speaking or performance | U.S. adult household survey; n = 9,282. 2008 publication. | Ruscio et al. 2008 |
| 19.5% | Lifetime fear of speaking up in a meeting or class | U.S. adult household survey; n = 9,282. 2008 publication. | Ruscio et al. 2008 |
| 30 trials | Randomized controlled trials included in a 2019 meta-analysis | Participants in 30 randomized controlled trials; n = 1,355. 2019 publication. | Ebrahimi et al. 2019 |
| 0.74 Hedges g | Pooled post-treatment effect on fear of public speaking | Participants in 30 randomized controlled trials; n = 1,355. 2019 publication. | Ebrahimi et al. 2019 |
Download the source table as CSV. The file includes definitions, fieldwork dates, limitations, and direct source links.
What does the 33.7% public-speaking figure mean?
Chapman's Wave 11 sampled 1,015 U.S. adults in March-April 2025. The published fear list combines the afraid and very afraid responses; it does not include the slightly afraid category. See the SSRS methodology report, overview on page 2 and item Q14_E on page 59.
Do not relabel the result as "33.7% of people have glossophobia." A survey response and a clinical diagnosis answer different questions. Do not extend a U.S. sample to the world's population.
Download Orai's survey comparison graphic. Cite Chapman for the underlying findings and credit Orai for the graphic.
Why other studies report different percentages
The NCS-R research used an interview-based lifetime measure, rather than Chapman's response scale. It was fielded in 2001-2003 and published in 2008. Its 21.2% public-speaking/performance finding and 19.5% meeting/class finding are historical context, not updates to the Chapman series. See Ruscio et al., Table 1.
Before comparing two estimates, check four things: the population, question, response threshold, and time period. A student sample, an adult household survey, and a trial enrolling people with speaking anxiety are not interchangeable. A difference between studies is not automatically an increase or decrease in fear over time.
Common claims to treat carefully
- "75% or 77% of everyone fears public speaking." We have not verified a primary source that supports using either as a universal rate. A frequently repeated number is not a substitute for a documented sample and question.
- "Public speaking is the number-one fear." It was not the highest-ranked fear in Chapman's 2025 list. Speaking scored above dying in that wave, but this is not a universal ranking of personal fears.
- "Speaking anxiety reduces wages by 10% and promotions by 15%." This guide does not retain these old claims without a verifiable study and a clear explanation of how the relationship was measured.
- "An effect size of 0.74 means 74% better." A standardized difference is not a percentage. Do not convert it into a promised outcome.
What intervention research can and cannot show
Ebrahimi and colleagues' 2019 meta-analysis included 30 randomized trials and 1,355 participants. The pooled post-treatment effect was Hedges g = 0.74 (95% CI 0.61-0.87). The authors noted possible publication bias. Read the review and its limitations.
These trials support evidence about the psychological interventions studied. They do not establish an Orai treatment effect, a guaranteed result after ten sessions, or the effectiveness of every AI speaking app. Orai provides speaking practice and delivery feedback; it is not a diagnostic tool or a substitute for mental-health care. If anxiety significantly interferes with daily life, seek advice from a qualified clinician.
Citation-ready wording
These sentences are Orai's summaries, not quotations from the researchers. Retain the qualifications and cite the original source, not just this article.
In the 2025 Chapman survey, 33.7% of U.S. adults reported being afraid or very afraid of public speaking. Original source. Finding details.
Keep this qualification: Self-reported fear, not a diagnosis or a worldwide estimate.
In the same 2025 Chapman survey, 28.6% reported being afraid or very afraid of dying. Original source. Finding details.
Keep this qualification: A comparison within this survey; not evidence that public speaking is everyone's greatest fear.
The NCS-R analysis reported lifetime fear of public speaking or performance in 21.2% of respondents. Original source. Finding details.
Keep this qualification: Historical 2001-2003 data with a different interview definition; not a 2026 estimate.
In that NCS-R analysis, 19.5% reported lifetime fear of speaking up in a meeting or class. Original source. Finding details.
Keep this qualification: A separate social-fear item, not a measure of how often people stay silent.
A 2019 meta-analysis synthesized 30 randomized controlled trials involving 1,355 participants. Original source. Finding details.
Keep this qualification: Research on psychological interventions, not on Orai or all speech-coaching apps.
The 2019 meta-analysis reported a pooled effect of Hedges g = 0.74, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.61 to 0.87. Original source. Finding details.
Keep this qualification: A standardized effect size, not a 74% improvement or an individual success rate. Publication bias was noted.
Sources and verification method
- Chapman Survey of American Fears, Wave 11: complete 2025 fear list, page 2. SSRS methods report, pages 2 and 59.
- Ruscio, Brown, Chiu, Sareen, Stein, and Kessler (2008), Social fears and social phobia in the USA. Psychological Medicine, 38(1), 15-28. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291707001699. Table 1.
- Ebrahimi, Pallesen, Kenter, and Nordgreen (2019), Psychological interventions for the fear of public speaking. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 488. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00488.
We checked the linked original tables or reports, recorded their measurement definitions, and kept survey results separate from treatment results. We excluded unsupported claims from the former 2020 infographic. This is a selected evidence resource, not a systematic review or original Orai study. For corrections, send the finding and supporting source to [email protected].
Use the evidence, then plan your practice
A population statistic cannot tell you how your next speech will feel. For everyday rehearsal, start with a familiar topic, a short outline, and a low-stakes recording. Read how to practice public speaking alone or how to organize your thoughts when speaking. The speaking-anxiety self-check is a reflection tool, not a clinical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do 75% of people fear public speaking?
This article does not use 75% as a universal rate because we have not verified a primary source supporting that claim. A defensible statistic needs a named population, question, threshold, and date.
Is fear of public speaking the same as social anxiety disorder?
No. A self-reported fear response is not a clinical diagnosis. Diagnosis requires an appropriate professional assessment; a survey percentage cannot determine whether an individual has a disorder.
Is public speaking the number-one fear?
Not in Chapman's 2025 list. Public speaking scored above dying in that wave, but it was not the highest-ranked fear. Do not turn that comparison into a universal ranking.
