UK 
United States
New research has revealed that whilst only 15% of UK adults know what imposter syndrome is, more than three-quarters (77%) have suffered from it at some point in their lives. UK businesses may need to take this into account in their employee development and talent retention efforts.
The study asked people if they had ever felt undeserving of praise or rewards, felt unaccomplished or been fearful that they would be publicly revealed to be as not as smart as others think. It also asked if they had ever thought they didn’t deserve the success they’d attained, deliberately downplayed their efforts or considered their accomplishments to be a fluke. More than three-quarters agreed with at least one of these statements.
Research, which was conducted on behalf of UM, with the help and participation of more than 500 UK adults, revealed that office workers and those in professional services were the most likely among all those in full-time employment to suffer from imposter syndrome – behind only school and university students.
It is also something that affects both genders: 45% of sufferers are men and 55% women, busting the myth that it primarily affects females in the workplace. Those aged 18-24 are also 19% more likely than the average adult to experience imposter syndrome.
