The highest levels of CEO disillusionment are found in North America and Europe (64 percent and 60 percent would decline a CEO offer, respectively). Asia-Pacific business leaders (51 percent) are divided about seeking the CEO role, while Latin Americans (27 percent) are the least negative, according to the survey.

The overriding factor in choosing not to be CEO is the absence of a positive work/life balance. Sixty-four percent cite this reason as the leading obstacle to pursuing the corner office.

Other barriers cited are the tyranny of quarterly earnings, persistent stress and intense public scrutiny. Global business leaders are less likely to cite the actual pressures of running a business — regulatory oversight, cost-cutting, talent development, stakeholder demands and critical media — as leading reasons for turning down the CEO position if offered, according to the report.

"CEOs today are increasingly challenged by time zones, global markets, unpredictable crises and an expanding portfolio of stakeholders demanding attention," said Leslie Gaines-Ross, Burson-Marsteller's chief knowledge & research officer, in a statement. "Not until companies train the next generation of leaders to better balance work/life pressures will executives clamor for the top job."