The 14 worst human fears

(of 3,000 people surveyed)*

Rank Percentage

1. Public speaking 41

2.Heights 32

3. Insects and bugs 22

4. Financial problems 22

5. Deep water 22

6. Sickness 19

7. Death 19

8. Flying 18

9. Loneliness 14

10. Dogs 11

11. Driving/riding in a car 10

12. Darkness 8

13. Elevators 8

14. Escalators 5

Added note to this American survey: "In general, women are far more fearful than men. Twice as many were afraid of heights, insects, deep water, flying or driving in cars; three times as many were frightened of darkness and four times as many were frightened of elevators. They were also more fearful of dogs, getting sick and dying. But if that makes it seem like a male chauvinist survey, it is worth noting that the only fear that men have more often than women is the fear of financial problems."

*from Dale Carnegie literature