You might know the feeling. You’re asked to head up a team meeting, or someone taps a glass at a wedding and nods in your direction. Your mouth dries and your mind starts rehearsing everything that could go wrong.
Public speaking isn’t for everyone. In fact, a recent study by bingo site, tombola reveals just how scared Brits are of talking in front of an audience, with one in seven (13%) saying they’re terrified.
But what is it that makes it so scary? And is there a way to overcome this fear?
Why are we scared?
Many of us fear public speaking because the brain reads it as a social threat. Back in 2017, America’s National Anxiety Center explored this idea, stating that psychologists believe this phobia is rooted in our primordial past. Thousands of years ago, exclusion from the group put our survival at risk. Today, our nervous systems still react when we sense judgement.
This exploration by the National Anxiety Center explains why inviting attention in public makes our brain quickly react. You might imagine criticism or failure, even if the audience wants you to succeed.
It also explains why the survey of over 2,000 people by tombola revealed that public speaking ranked as a bigger fear for Brits than more subjectively typical fears, such as the dentist (10%) or flying (8%). It’s an in-built reaction that we’re predisposed to have.
Do we get better with age?
You might expect confidence to grow as you gain experience. In reality, fear of public speaking often rises with age. The survey found that 11% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 6% of 25 to 34-year-olds list public speaking as a major fear. The figure climbs to 12% among 35 to 44-year-olds, 15% for 45 to 54-year-olds and peaks at 19% in the 55 to 64 age group.
This pattern makes sense when you consider responsibility. In your twenties, you may speak in seminars or early-career meetings, but the stakes feel relatively low. As you move into management, leadership or specialist roles, more people rely on your words. You might present to clients or lead departmental briefings. If you’re representing your organisation on a public stage or asked to be the expert for a panel because of your expertise, the visibility increases significantly – and so does the pressure.
Is there a gender difference?
Data from the tombola survey also shows a gap between men and women. Around one in 10 men (10%) cite public speaking as one of their biggest fears, compared with one in six women (16%). That means women are almost 50% more likely than men to struggle with speaking to a group.
You can’t explain this difference with a single cause. Many women grow up receiving stronger messages about being judged on appearance or tone, which can heighten self-consciousness. In some workplaces, women still face harsher scrutiny when they speak assertively, which reinforces anxiety over time. Men, on the other hand, may feel pressure to project confidence, even when they feel nervous.
How can we improve?
You overcome fear of public speaking by taking steady, practical steps:
- Start small: Contribute one clear point in your next meeting instead of staying silent. Notice how people respond. Most of the time, they listen, nod and move on. Your catastrophic predictions rarely materialise.
- Preparation changes the experience: When you plan a talk, outline your key message in a single sentence, then build examples around it. Practise aloud in the exact space if you can, or at least on your feet, so your body associates standing up with familiar words rather than danger.
- Reframe the situation: Treat it as a conversation rather than a performance. When you prepare for a presentation, write down three questions your audience might have and shape your talk around answering them.
- Treat speaking as a skill: Speaking is something that needs deliberate practice at every stage of your career. Each time you accept a small speaking opportunity, you build evidence that you can handle the next one.
- Separate nerves from ability: Feeling anxious does not mean you lack expertise; it means you care about how you come across.
- Focus on service rather than self: When you shift your attention from “How do I look?” to “How can I help this room?”, you reduce self-consciousness and increase impact.
Public speaking may sit high on the UK’s list of fears, but it doesn’t have to dominate your life. With repeated exposure and thoughtful preparation, you can build your confidence levels. Remember to be kind to yourself. You’re trying your best.