We asked 17,000 people about their toilet habits to determine The Constipation State of the Nation

All around the world, constipation is incredibly common. Anyone can experience it – and many people are impacted by it at some point during their lifetime. So why are we still so afraid to talk about it and address it? At Movicol^®, we aim to break the stigma surrounding constipation and empower individuals to take control of their digestive health. Movicol^® is a gentle, proven treatment for stubborn stools backed by more than 25 years of clinical use. It has been specially developed to provide gentle, effective relief using Macrogol 3350, an ingredient that binds with water and takes it to the stool where it is needed, making stools softer, easier and more comfortable to pass.

About The Constipation State of the Nation

In order to open up conversations about constipation and the views, habits and feelings people have about it around the world, Movicol presents “The Constipation State of the Nation.”

We surveyed nearly 17,000 adults in nine countries including Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. The findings of the survey highlight how widespread and common constipation is, its impact on different areas of life, and the prevailing stigma despite how prevalent it is globally. This “stool stigma” is stopping people from recognising the symptoms of constipation and seeking solutions. Many people suffer in silence, unaware of how to treat constipation and the potential long-term consequences it can have if left untreated.

This “Constipation State of the Nation” report aims to help educate people that constipation and stubborn stools are treatable and worth treating early.

What country is the most constipated?

In the past year, people in the following countries have reported experiencing constipation to some degree.

What are the “Constipation Capitals” of the world?

Across the countries surveyed, the hot spots where people are constipated “all the time” or “frequently” in each country are:

Tackling the Stool Stigma: Despite how prevalent constipation is, a high level of stigma remains when it comes to discussing topics around bowel health.

How does constipation impact everyday life? The longer you leave constipation, the harder it can get, and doesn’t just impact our gut.

About

25% of people have missed work due to constipation.

People spend up to

22 minutes longer on the toilet, on average, when constipated vs. when not constipated.

People feel

lower energy, more stressed, less focused, and less friendly when constipated.

Poophoria: The euphoria of a satisfying poo

Poophoria is real! Across the world, people rank having a satisfying poo as more satisfying than other pleasurable activities.

So, what can you do to move on from constipation?

Constipation is a poo that has moved too slowly through the bowel, losing water to the rest of your body so that it becomes dehydrated and hard to pass.

But the longer you leave it, the harder it can get! That’s why it’s important to recognise the signs and symptoms of constipation and to treat it early. Movicol^® is a clinically proven stool hydrator. It works with the body’s natural process, through targeted action that hydrates, softens and restores a natural bowel movement. Movicol^® contains Macrogol 3350, an ingredient that binds with water and takes it to the stool where it is needed.

To learn more about the Movicol^® product range and how to identify constipation, click here.

Footnote:

¹ The “Constipation to State of the Nation” research was conducted by Focaldata in March 2025. 16,734 number of people were surveyed across 9 markets (UK: 2,020, Australia: 2,055, Germany: 2,008, France: 2,022, Italy: 2,086, Spain: 2,022, Sweden: 2,010, Norway: 1,009, Denmark: 1,502). Samples were made nationally representative using Gender, Age, and Location data (in accordance with British Polling Council standards).