Share of people worldwide with stress, depression, and anxiety in 2022, by age

A survey conducted in 2022 found that young adults aged between 18 and 24 were more likely to suffer from moderate to severe stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms. That year, around 66 percent of respondents from this age group reported stress-related symptoms, while 25 percent of those aged 65 and older had similar symptoms. Similar age group trends were also noted for negative effects on wellbeing from feelings of loneliness. Additionally, fewer men than women were likely to report having mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

Anxiety, depression, and stress in Europe

In Europe, there is a notable variation in the prevalence of mental illnesses. Throughout the epidemic, depression and anxiety increased in all EU nations, affecting young people, particularly young women and those in financial difficulties. A study published by the OECD reported that 55 percent of adults residing in the EU were at risk of depression in 2022. Another study, published in the same year, found that more than half of the respondents surveyed in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Italy had reported experiencing stress.

Anxiety, depression, and loneliness in the U.S.

In the United States, anxiety, depression, and loneliness are prevalent issues affecting a significant portion of the population. According to a survey done in 2022, one-third of U.S. adults aged between 18 and 29 years mentioned that they “always” or “often” felt depressed or lonely in the past year. Over half of U.S. adults in the same age group reported that they felt anxious. Furthermore, adults with lower household incomes were more likely than those with higher household incomes to mention that they felt anxious, lonely, or depressed.