Depression Rates by Country 2022

People who suffer from depression commonly referred to as major depressive disorder, find it difficult to function normally in all areas of their lives. Depressive disorders affect an estimated 251-310 million individuals globally. Depression is a common but curable condition.

Depression symptoms

Depression’s symptoms may be moderate or severe and can include the following:

• A nagging sense of sorrow
• Interest in activities that formerly brought you delight has waned.
• Weight gain or loss may be attributed to changes in appetite.
• Problems are falling asleep or sleeping excessively.
• A decrease in energy or an increase in exhaustion
• Pacing, for example, has become more commonplace.
• Speech and action are slowed down.
• Guilt or a feeling of inadequacy
• Difficulty focusing or thinking
• Relatively low self-esteem and confidence
• A gloomy or gloomy disposition
• Suicidal or self-destructive behavior or ideas

Risk factors and treatment options for depression

Inheritance (depression has been shown to run in families), personality (pessimism and poor self-esteem are associated with depression), and the environment all have a role in depression risk (those who are exposed to violence, abuse, neglect, or poverty are more likely to experience depression).

The symptoms of depression must continue for at least two weeks to be diagnosed. Thyroid issues and vitamin shortages, for example, may resemble depressive symptoms and should be checked out.

For those who have been identified, depression is one of the most curable mental diseases, and those who are eligible for treatment have a variety of alternatives.

• To repair and stabilize one’s brain chemistry, anti-depressant medication may be taken.
• Depressed people typically seek out psychotherapy and/or cognitive behavioral therapy. In the case of moderate to severe depression, therapy is often used in conjunction with antidepressants.
• Patients with severe depression that have not responded to previous therapies sometimes turn to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). While the patient is unconscious, the brain is briefly stimulated with electrical currents.

The World’s Depression Rates

Depressive disorders afflict 1 in 15 individuals each year, and 1 in 6 people will suffer from depression at some point in their lives.

According to the Our World In Data survey, around 3.4% of the worldwide population (2-6 percent when error margins are included) suffers from depression. It’s estimated that 264 million individuals throughout the globe fall under this category.

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Rates of Depression:

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

Many of the world’s least depressing locations may be found inside Oceania’s Pacific Islands.

Top 10 Countries with the Lowest Rates of Depression:

1. Solomon Islands – 2.9%
2. Papua New Guinea – 3.0% (tie)
3. Timor-Leste – 3.0% (tie)
4. Vanuatu – 3.1% (tie)
5. Kiribati – 3.1% (tie)
6. Tonga – 3.2% (tie)
7. Samoa – 3.2% (tie)
8. Laos – 3.2% (tie)
9. Nepal – 3.2% (tie)
10. Philippines – 3.3%

The analysis of depression data

This data is interesting, but it’s crucial to remember that, particularly in less developed nations, the actual rates are likely far higher. Depression is more common in industrialized nations because their health care systems can better recognize and treat mental diseases, such as bipolar disorder.

To put it another way, sadness isn’t inherently less prevalent in less developed nations since their care of mental illness frequently takes a backseat to more pressing issues like famine and sickness.

More than two-thirds of persons with mental problems in low- and middle-income nations do not have access to the therapy they need.

Mental illness often goes unreported and misdiagnosed, even in affluent countries, since people are either embarrassed or don’t know that they have a medically curable disease.

The number of people suffering from depression is increasing all over the globe. Still, this surge may be partially attributable to positive development: more people than ever are seeking and getting treatment for mental illness.

Although there is still a stigma around mental illness in many nations, such as the United States, this is changing. As a result, persons with mental illness are more inclined to seek treatment when needed since the topic can be discussed openly.

The mental health and treatment options available to its citizens and residents may be significantly affected by a nation’s culture. In addition, cultural differences explain why some people are more likely to experience the symptoms of depression than others.

Depression is rare in Japan, but the suicide rate among children and adolescents ages 10 to 19 is significant. Pressure to do well in school and at work and to fit in with the norms of one’s social group is probably to blame.

Also See: Death Rate by Country 2022

17.3 million individuals in America experienced at least one severe depressive episode in 2017; according to the CDC, About two-thirds of individuals diagnosed with depression got therapy.

Anxiety disorders coexist with depression in almost half of all U.S. adults. According to the CDC, most people are depressed in the three states of Oregon, West Virginia, and Maine.