Over 1.1 billion people live with mental illness worldwide today – Report

A new global study has revealed a sharp increase in mental health disorders across the world, showing that the number of people living with mental illness has nearly doubled over the past three decades, reaching around 1.17 billion in 2023.

The study, published in the medical journal The Lancet and conducted by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, found that the global burden of mental disorders increased by 95.5% between 1990 and 2023 in 204 countries.

The researchers analyzed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors study covering multiple age groups, genders and regions over a 33-year period.

According to the findings, cases of mental disorders have risen from around 599 million in 1990 to 1.17 billion in 2023, with anxiety disorders and major depressive disorders emerging as the most prevalent conditions globally.

Anxiety disorders alone increased from 182 million cases in 1990 to 470 million in 2023, while depressive disorders increased from 102 million to 236 million over the same period.

The study also noted that although conditions such as anorexia, bulimia and schizophrenia have seen lower prevalence rates, they continue to contribute significantly to the global health burden due to their severity and long-term impact.

It also revealed that most mental health conditions were more common among females, while disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, conduct disorders and some intellectual developmental disabilities were more prevalent among males.

Researchers said mental health burden peaks among adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19, describing the period as a critical stage of brain and social development that shapes education, employment and life outcomes.

They also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened some conditions, with rates of depression rising further during the period and failing to return to pre-pandemic levels, while anxiety disorders remained persistently high.

Mental disorders were ranked as the fifth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally in 2023, up sharply from 12th position in 1990, underscoring their growing impact on global health systems.

Women were found to bear a higher overall burden, accounting for approximately 92.6 million DALYs compared to 78.6 million for men.

The researchers warned that without stronger mental health surveillance systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the burden is likely to worsen.

They also called for coordinated global policies focused on early diagnosis, prevention and equitable access to treatment, stressing that addressing mental health needs across all age groups and regions is now “an obligation, not a choice”.

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