We present the results of a finite element analysis of the state of stress at passive continental margins, which we performed to investigate whether these margins are potential sites for initiation of subduction. The state of stress is determined by the effect of sediment loading at the rise, and to a lesser extent by plate tectonic forces. For a model of sedimentation at the margin, coupled to the subsidence of the cooling oceanic lithosphere, stresses up to 3 kbar can be generated. Stresses of this order may cause failure of the lithosphere and initiation of subduction. In general, however, an additional cause (e.g. plate interaction and geometrical focusing effect) not included in the modelling is required to start the subduction process. If, after 100 million ears of evolution, subduction has not started, continued aging of the passive margin alone does not result in conditions significantly more favorable for initiation of subduction.