Depression and Anxiety

Key Global Statistics (Based on Latest Available Data, Primarily 2021 with Updates Through 2023–2025)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) studies from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME):

Depression (depressive disorders): Approximately 332 million people worldwide were affected in 2021, representing about 5.7% of adults globally (4.6% in men and 6.9% in women). Women are around 1.5 times more likely to experience depression than men. Over 10% of pregnant women and new mothers experience it.

Anxiety disorders: Around 359 million people were affected in 2021, making it the most common mental disorder globally, with an estimated 4.4% of the population impacted.

Together, depression and anxiety are the leading contributors to the burden of mental disorders, accounting for a large share (around 63%) of all mental health cases in recent estimates.

Broader mental health conditions affect over 1 billion people worldwide (as per WHO updates in 2025), with anxiety and depression being the most prevalent types across all ages, genders, and income levels.

In 2023, IHME estimates indicate that about 15% of the world's population experienced mental disorders, with anxiety and depressive disorders ranking among the most burdensome.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp rise: In its first year (2020–2021), global prevalence of both anxiety and depression increased by about 25% compared to pre-pandemic levels, with lasting effects seen in elevated disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) through 2021 and beyond.

Trends and Burden

Between 2010–2021 and into recent years, age-standardized DALYs (a measure of healthy years lost) rose by around 16–17% for both depressive and anxiety disorders.

These conditions cost the global economy an estimated US$1 trillion per year in lost productivity.

Treatment gaps remain huge: Only about 1 in 4 people with anxiety disorders receive any treatment, due to stigma, lack of services, and underinvestment (especially in low- and middle-income countries).

Projections suggest continued increases due to population growth and other factors, potentially reaching over 466 million cases of depression and 515 million of anxiety by 2040 if trends persist.

Mental health conditions like these are universal—they occur everywhere, though prevalence and access to care vary by region, socioeconomic factors, and gender (women often report higher rates). If you're dealing with symptoms personally or know someone who is, reaching out to a healthcare professional, helpline, or trusted support can make a real difference—effective treatments like therapy, medication, or lifestyle support exist for most people.

For the most up-to-date interactive data, check sources like the WHO fact sheets or IHME's GBD tools.