Depression Rates By Country

Depression is a global mental health crisis that affects millions of people across the world, regardless of geography or demographics. Its impact spans across all aspects of life, from personal well-being and relationships to economic productivity, making it a significant public health issue requiring global attention and targeted intervention. 

Data stemming from studies carried out around the world, adjusted for population size, shows that depression affects every country differently. In 2022, the countries reporting the highest prevalence of depressive disorders were Ukraine, the United States, Australia, and Estonia, each with a prevalence rate hovering around 6%. 

However, these numbers represent a mere snapshot of depression's footprint on the global stage. Critical insights emanate from these figures when we delve deeper:

• Ukraine, with a 6.3% prevalence rate, tops the list of countries with the most significant number of depressive disorders. This rate highlights a significant mental health challenge within the nation that requires urgent attention.
• The United States is a close runner-up, reporting a 5.9% prevalence of depressive disorders. This finding reconfirms the dire state of mental health in the country, despite being one of the world's most developed nations.
• Despite its reputation for quality of life and healthcare, Australia also shows a remarkably high depression prevalence rate of 5.9%, closely tying with the United States and Estonia. 
• On the lower end of the spectrum, countries like Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste report the lowest prevalence, with rates as low as 2.9% and 3%, respectively. These numbers, however, might be influenced by factors ranging from reporting mechanisms to social stigma related to mental health.
• Substantial discrepancies exist within global regions as well. For instance, depression rates in countries within the same region, such as France (4.8%) and UK (4.5%), show variance despite their close geographic proximity and ostensibly similar Western lifestyles.

Deducing from this data, it is evident that depression is a global issue impacting millions, albeit with significant variations between regions and countries. The reasons for these differences are multifaceted and complex, with potential influencers being cultural, socio-economic, genetic, and environmental factors. Understanding these data patterns is the first step towards strategizing a collaborative global response to this invisible public health crisis.

Depression is a globally pervasive challenge, with rates varying significantly amongst different countries. According to recent data, Ukraine, the United States, Australia, and Estonia, show the highest recorded rates of depression.

Ukraine tops the chart with a depression rate of 6.3%. Following closely are the United States, Australia, and Estonia each showing a depression rate of 5.9%. Brazil is next in line with a depression rate of 5.8%.

Greece and Portugal each show a depression rate of 5.7%, whereas Belarus, Finland, and Lithuania maintained a 5.6% rate.

10 Countries with the Highest Depression Rates:

1. Ukraine - 6.3%
2. United States - 5.9%
3. Australia - 5.9%
4. Estonia - 5.9%
5. Brazil - 5.8%
6. Greece - 5.7%
7. Portugal - 5.7%
8. Belarus - 5.6%
9. Finland - 5.6%
10. Lithuania - 5.6%

The ten countries with the lowest reported rates of depression are Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Laos, and Nepal. Solomon Islands boasts the lowest depression rate, with only 2.9% of its population reported to be dealing with the illness. Following closely behind are Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea both with a rate of 3.0%. Micronesia, Kiribati, and Vanuatu each have a depression rate of 3.1%. Lastly, Tonga, Samoa, Laos, and Nepal all share a reported depression rate of 3.2% of their populations. 

The ten countries with the lowest depression rates:

1. Solomon Islands - 2.9%
2. Timor-Leste - 3.0%
3. Papua New Guinea - 3.0%
4. Micronesia - 3.1%
5. Kiribati - 3.1%
6. Vanuatu - 3.1%
7. Tonga - 3.2%
8. Samoa - 3.2%
9. Laos - 3.2%
10. Nepal - 3.2%

The data points presented are defined as follows:

• Depression Rate - The estimated percentage of individuals experiencing depression or other common mental disorders.

​

To sort the data in the table, click on the column headers.