Mental illness is a big problem almost everywhere in the world, and we bring you the list of 16 countries with the highest mental illness rates in the world.
Term “mental illness” refers to a wide range of mental disorders which affect person’s behavior mood and overall functioning. Causes of mental illness can range from genetic to environmental factors, but research shows that mental disorders are often caused by a combination of genetic, psychological, biological and environmental factors. Hereditary (genetic) factor refers to the fact that you are more likely to be affected by mental illness than someone who doesn’t have mental illness in his/her family but it does not mean, in any way, that you will definitely inherit the mental disorder. Psychological trauma can trigger mental illness as well as certain environmental factors and exposure to various stressors. We can say that a mixture of these factors also affects positions of certain countries on mental health statistics list.
George Rudy/Shutterstock.com
There are different types of mental illness including anxiety disorders, mood disorders (such as depression and bipolar disorder), psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), eating disorders (anorexia nervous, bulimia nervosa, binge eating), personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, etc. Mental illness rates around the world vary, but one of the most common mental illnesses is depression. In the United States, depression affects around 40 million people every year, which is about 18.1% of the population. We’ve also created a list of 15 most depressed countries in the world that might be interesting for you. According to the WHO depression rates by country for 2016, the U.S. is ranked third for unipolar depressive disorders, preceded only by India and China. Another very prevalent mental illness is anxiety, and according to anxiety rates by country, Australia and New Zealand are at the top of the list while the U.S. takes the third place. Surprisingly, these mental health rankings by country show that some developed countries are ranked higher than developing countries, at least according to mental illness statistics worldwide.
In order to compile this list of 16 countries with the highest mental illness rates in the world, we’ve checked the thread on Quora on most depressed countries in the world and took a look at the map that was provided. Then there was Insider Monkey article on countries with the highest mental illness rates in the world which was very important for collecting ideas. In case you are wondering what country has the most mental illness, check out the number one on the list. We’ve also checked US News, WHO’s World Health Atlas, NBC News’ article on mental health, WHO’s global health estimates and statistics for Europe which show a number of deaths caused by mental disorders. The list is compiled of countries which have a very high rate of mental illnesses, and in order to complete the list, atransnational study on mental health issues was very helpful. Since data collected for these countries varies a lot (reliability of sources, year of publishing as well as sampling techniques), we’ve decided to rank the countries uniquely – according to the neuropsychiatric disorders (in the given country) and its contribution to the global burden of disease. Data for each of the countries is published by WHO. Since there was no data for the UK, it is placed at the bottom of the list. Other countries are ranked from lowest to the highest percentage.
16. United Kingdom
In the UKone out of four people is diagnosed with mental illness. The most common mental illness diagnosed in the UK is depression, and others include OCD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and eating disorders. According to the survey conducted in the UK, 26% out of 5000 participants were diagnosed with mental illness.
Dmytro Zinkevych/Shutterstock.com
15. Bangladesh
Global burden of disease: 11.2%
Just like its neighboring countries, Bangladesh, the number 15 on our list ofcountries with the highest mental illness rates in the world, has high rates of mental illness although additional research is needed to evaluate the situation in more details. The reported prevalence varies between 6.5% to 31% among adults and 13.4% to 22.9% among children which is a very high rate. National Mental Health survey estimated the rate of 16.05%. One of the problems in this country is that treatment of mental illness is not a priority in Bangladesh and that a lot of people do not receive the treatment they need, partially due to lack of resources and partially because of stigmatization of mental illness.
Alexander Raths/Shutterstock.com
14. India
Global burden of disease: 11.6%
WHO’s report states that 7.5% Indians suffer from mental illnesses and 4.5% suffer from depression (which is around 56 million). Another battle in India, when it comes to mental illness, is the fact that people with mental illness are more likely to turn to priests and religious persons for treatment rather than actual medical doctors. Research shows that treatment gap for all mental disorder is 60% and nearly 80% of people will mental illness did not receive any medical treatment mostly because of societal stigmatization of mental illness. Stigmatization affects all age groups, regardless of their economic situation. In case of minors who experience symptoms of mental illness, treatment is often unavailable because they need the approval of family members which is hard to acquire because association with mental illness can bring “disgrace” to the family.
Pixabay/Public Domain
13. Pakistan
Global burden of disease: 11.9%
Similarly like in India, Pakistanis turn to temples and shrines to get help for mental illness rather than to medical professionals. This is especially common among the poor population since they cannot pay for medical services. Data shows that there are around 50 million Pakistanis suffering from mental illness which is around 10 to 20% of the population and the vast majority is not getting the proper care. There is a large number of children affected by mental illness as well.
Copyright: lightpoet / 123RF Stock Photo
12. China
Global burden of disease: 17.6%
Along with India, one-third of the global burden of mental illness (healthy years lost due to mental illness) fall on China. Reasons are very similar,like in India, because very few people seek medical help and only 1% of the national health budget is allocated to mental health issues. The issue becomes more serious when we consider that mental illness is on the rise and the country does not have means to deal with the existing problem. Estimates show that 36.9 million years of healthy life will be lost due to mental illness by 2025 which is 10% increase in case of China.
Rattanapon Ninlapoom/Shutterstock.com
11. Mexico
Global burden of disease: 19.4%
The most common form of mental illness in Mexico is depression. Surveys showed that 1 out of 8 Mexicans suffers from mental illness and that half of Mexico’s population suffered a depressive episode in that year. 12-month prevalence study showed that 12.1% of participants suffered from mental illness and the causes were closely connected with income, and those with lower income were more likely to be diagnosed with mental disorder.
Pixabay/Public Domain
And now, let’s see the top tencountries with the highest mental illness rates in the world.
10. Brazil
Global burden of disease: 20.3%
Data shows that around 25% of Brazilian population develop a mental illness during their lifetime and mental disorders are among top 10 factors in Brazil that cause inability to participate in everyday activities. Another research focusing on elderly population pointed out that prevalence of mental disorder among this age group is around 29.3%. Although the results pinpoint the problem of mental illness in the elderly population in urban areas, the percentage cannot be fully reliable since the researchers used a relatively small sample (327 people) that cannot be generalized to the whole nation.
Pixabay/Public Domain
9. Japan
Global burden of disease: 24.6%
Japan found its place on this list of countries with the highest mental illness rates in the world due to the fact that around 23.6% of people in Japan contemplated about commenting suicide. In 2015, the suicide rate for men was 26.9 (per 100.000) and for women 10.1%. The following year approximately 70 people per day committed suicide. Japan is known for high suicide rates which can be closely connected with mental illnesses, particularly depression.
cowardlion/Shutterstock.com
8. Spain
Global burden of disease: 27.4%
The economic crisis in Spain contributed to an increase in mental illness in the country. 2010 data showed an increase in patients with anxiety, mood disorders and depression which was linked with a mortgage, debt and financial issues. In case of Spain, mental illness rate was higher in men than women.
Elnur/Shutterstock.com
The following two countries share the 6th place on our list ofcountries with the highest mental illness rates in the world.
6. Australia
Global burden of disease: 29.4%
Despite the rise of awareness and initiatives to battle mental illness, it is still on the rise in Australia, especially among teenagers. Mental illnesses are a third leading cause of disability in Australia. Almost a quarter of youth (ages 15-19) show signs of mental illness. Girls are twice more likely to be diagnosed with mental disorders than boys.
Pixabay/Public Domain
6. Belgium
Global burden of disease: 29.4%
Mental illnesses are the main the primary cause of invalidity in Belgium, and it is among top three countries when it comes to suicide rates in Europe. Netherlands and Belgium are the only countries that allow euthanasia for patients with mental illness, and from 2014 to 2015, 124 out of 3,950 euthanasia cases were persons diagnosed with some form of mental illness. The case of Belgium rises many moral and ethical concerns and poses a question if there was anything else that could be done to help patients with mental illness.
Pixabay/Public Domain
5. Netherlands
Global burden of disease: 30.8%
Although the Netherlands has good support in terms of providing treatment of mental illnesses, rates show that mental illnesses are on the rise in the Netherlands as well. According to Jacobine Geel, head of GGZ Netherlands believes that the possible cause of this increase are the budget cuts in the field of mental health care. When it comes to deaths caused by mental illness, Netherlands has a higher rate (7.4%) than the European average.
Pixabay/Public Domain
And now, let’s see the top fourcountries with the highest mental illness rates in the world.
3. USA
Global burden of disease: 30.9%
Mental illness is very pervasive in the U.S. anddata for 2016 show that one out of six U.S. citizens livewith mental illness which equates to 44.7 million people. Prevalence is higher in women than men. Some states have higher rates of mental illness than others. For example, New Jersey has the lowest rates of overall and severe mental illness while Utah has highest rates of mental illness (22.3% of adult population) and reports show that most cases of severe mental illnesses are found in West Virginia.
Pixabay/Public Domain
3. Germany
Global burden of disease: 30.9%
Germany ranks third on our list ofcountries with the highest mental illness rates in the world. This country leads the way when it comes to commitment to treating patients with mental illness and providing financial support. Also, it has a very high rated for mental disorders. The 12-month prevalence was 31%. The highest rate (14.5%) is attributed to anxiety.
Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock.com
2. France
Global burden of disease: 32%
Couple of years ago, you could find series of articles that mention France as “the most depressed country in the world.” This was backed by cross-national study which showed that France, along with Belgium is at the top of the list.
Pixabay/Public Domain
1. Switzerland
Global burden of disease: 35.1%
Switzerland is among the countries which have the highest percentage of psychiatrists per capita. It is estimated that one-fifth of the population is affected by mental illness. Although Switzerland has among most expensive health systems in the world, a lot of money is invested in the mental health sector and a good system of treating mental disorders. Still according to our ranking Switzerland takes the number one spot on our list of 16 countries with the highest mental illness rates in the world.
SpeedKingz/Shutterstock.com
FAQs
What country has the highest rate of mental illness *? ›
| # | Country | Depression Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greece | 6.52% |
| 2 | Spain | 6.04% |
| 3 | Portugal | 5.88% |
| 4 | Palestine | 5.75% |
| Overall | Depression | Anxiety |
|---|---|---|
| China | China | China |
| India | India | India |
| U.S. | U.S. | U.S. |
| Brazil | Brazil | Brazil |
While many countries still struggle with opening the discussion around mental health care, the United States was ranked third for burden of mental and behavioral disorders, adjusting for population size, by the World Health Organization.
What group has the highest rate of mental illness? ›...
Figure 1.
| Demographic | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Race/Ethnicity | White | 22.6 |
| Black or African American | 17.3 | |
| Asian | 13.9 | |
| 2 or More | 35.8 | |
About one-quarter of U.S. adults report having a mental health diagnosis such as anxiety or depression or experiencing emotional distress. This is one of the highest rates among 11 high-income countries.
Which area in the United States has the highest level of mental illness? ›States with the lowest rates of mental illness include New Jersey, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. The highest rates are found in Alabama, Utah, Oregon, Wyoming, and Colorado.
Is mental illness increasing in the US? ›Mental illness has risen in the United States, with about 20% of people in the country experiencing some form of it.
What countries have the highest schizophrenia? ›The country with the highest prevalence of schizophrenia is Indonesia, with a total of 829,735 people with the disorder. The second highest prevalence is in Brazil, with 677,953 total sufferers, a significant jump from 2009 to 2019.
What is the number 1 mental illness in the world? ›Each year, around 1 million people die from suicide in the world, of which some 63,000 are in the Americas. Depression is the most common mental disorder in the world.
Is mental health Declining in America? ›Research like that released by Clarify Health suggests the mental health of America's youth is on the decline. It should be a big warning for adults — both for those in these young people's lives as well as the policy leaders who are in a position to shape them at the macro level.
What state in the US has the best mental health services? ›
We found that Connecticut has the best mental health care in the nation. The state has a high degree of access to care, a low number of uninsured residents with mental health issues and a low number of people who weren't able to utilize mental health services. Mental illness is incredibly common in the United States.
What is the biggest cause of mental illness? ›childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect. social isolation or loneliness. experiencing discrimination and stigma, including racism. social disadvantage, poverty or debt.
Who is most at risk for mental illness? ›Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. However, men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder. While major depression can develop at any age, the average age at onset is the mid-20s.
What are the top 3 most common mental illnesses? ›The most common are anxiety disorders major depression and bipolar disorder.
Where is the best place to live if you're depressed? ›Denver is the best city for mental health, while Dallas is the worst. These are determinations made in a recent study by CertaPet, a telehealth company, which analyzed the 50 most populous U.S. cities to find the best and worst places to live for mental health treatment.
Where is mental health the best in the world? ›- Sweden. While Sweden might not have the warmest climate with an average temperature of 2.1°C, there are several reasons why this Nordic nation ranks first in the world for mental wellbeing. ...
- Germany. ...
- Finland. ...
- France. ...
- The Netherlands. ...
- Italy. ...
- Canada. ...
- Norway.
...
States with the most anxiety and depression.
| State | % experiencing depression | % change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 17% | 9% |
| Ohio | 15% | 22% |
| Oklahoma | 27% | 28% |
| Oregon | 19% | -5% |
Modern, Western lifestyles undermine mental health. Unhealthy diets, lack of physical exercise, loneliness, family break up, childhood neglect and trauma, the pressure of competition in schools and the workplace — the list goes on.
What percentage of Americans have mental health issues 2022? ›Adult Prevalence of Mental Illness (AMI) 2022
19.86% of adults are experiencing a mental illness. Equivalent to nearly 50 million Americans. 4.91% are experiencing a severe mental illness.
...
Adult Ranking 2022.
| Rank | State |
|---|---|
| 01 | New Jersey |
| 02 | Wisconsin |
| 03 | Massachusetts |
| 04 | Connecticut |
Which country has the highest rate of psychosis? ›
...
By country.
| Rank | Country | DALY rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indonesia | 321.870 |
| 2 | Philippines | 317.079 |
| 3 | Thailand | 315.533 |
| 4 | Malaysia | 314.199 |
Though the incidence is low (3-10,000), the prevalence is high due to chronicity. Schizophrenia is occurring in both developing and developed countries. The remission rate is higher in developing countries compared to the developed ones.
What percent of the US has schizophrenia? ›Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe neurological brain disorder estimated in 2020 to affect 1.1 percent of the population or approximately 2.8 million adults in the United States aged 18 or older.
What are the 7 most common mental illnesses? ›- Anxiety disorders. ...
- Behavioural and emotional disorders in children. ...
- Bipolar affective disorder. ...
- Depression. ...
- Dissociation and dissociative disorders. ...
- Eating disorders. ...
- Obsessive compulsive disorder. ...
- Paranoia.
- Anxiety Disorders. ...
- Depression. ...
- Bipolar Disorder. ...
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ...
- Schizophrenia. ...
- Eating Disorders. ...
- Disruptive behaviour and dissocial disorders. ...
- Neurodevelopmental disorders.
Nearly one billion people have a mental disorder: WHO.
Which state spends the least on mental health? ›According to the research, Idaho has the lowest budget allocated for mental health, with $32.77 spending per capita. Texas follows at $40.65 per capita, and Arkansas is third from bottom at $45.56.
What is the healthiest state in america 2022? ›Utah is the healthiest state in this year's report. It ranks in the top quintile across social and economic factors (No. 1), clinical care (No. 8), behaviors (No.
Where does Florida rank in mental health? ›Mental Health of America recently ranked Florida 48th nationwide on access to mental health care. It specifically noted that 633,000 Florida adults with mental illness and 116,000 youth with depression had unmet treatment needs.
Does mental health ever go away? ›It is possible to recover from mental health problems, and many people do – especially after accessing support. Your symptoms may return from time to time, but when you've discovered which self-care techniques and treatments work best for you, you're more likely to feel confident in managing them.
What are the 4 types of mental illness? ›
mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder) anxiety disorders. personality disorders. psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)
Is mental health worse now? ›The rate of mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, has steadily increased over the past eight years, with rates even higher among racial and ethnic minority students. A version of this article originally appeared in The Brink.
What are the two main causes of mental illness? ›- Inherited traits. Mental illness is more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness. ...
- Environmental exposures before birth. ...
- Brain chemistry.
You might worry that you could develop or 'catch' the same illness as your ill parent – but you cannot catch a mental illness from anyone. People might say 'it runs in families' or talk about the genetics or genes causing the illness.
What is it called when you make up stories in your head and believing them? ›Delusional disorder is a type of mental health condition in which a person can't tell what's real from what's imagined. There are many types, including persecutory, jealous and grandiose types. It's treatable with psychotherapy and medication.
What age is most likely to have a mental illness? ›50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24. 10% of children and young people (aged 5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental problem3, yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.
What is the most common disorder in the US? ›Anxiety disorders are considered the most common type of psychiatric disorders in the general population.
What are the top 5 American mental disorders? ›- Anxiety Disorders. The most common category of mental health disorders in America impacts approximately 40 million adults 18 and older. ...
- Mood Disorders. ...
- Psychotic Disorders. ...
- Dementia. ...
- Eating disorders.
Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. More than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year.
What is the rate of mental illness in the world? ›| Disorder | Share of global population with disorder (2017) [difference across countries] | Number of people with the disorder (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| Any mental health disorder | 10.7% | 792 million |
| Depression | 3.4% [2-6%] | 264 million |
| Anxiety disorders | 3.8% [2.5-7%] | 284 million |
| Bipolar disorder | 0.6% [0.3-1.2%] | 46 million |
What is the number 1 mental health problem in the US? ›
Right now, nearly 10 million Americans are living with a serious mental disorder. The most common are anxiety disorders major depression and bipolar disorder. Below is more information on these disorders and how ACCESS can help.
What percentage of the country has a mental illness? ›An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older -- about 1 in 4 adults -- suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time. In particular, depressive illnesses tend to co-occur with substance use and anxiety disorders.
What percent of the world has mental health issues 2022? ›19.86% of adults are experiencing a mental illness.
What is the percentage of mental illness in America? ›Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. More than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year.