A new global study has revealed a sharp rise in mental health disorders worldwide, showing that the number of people living with mental illnesses has nearly doubled over the past three decades, reaching about 1.17 billion in 2023.
The study, published in the medical journal The Lancet and led by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, found that the global burden of mental disorders increased by 95.5 per cent between 1990 and 2023 across 204 countries.
Researchers analysed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study covering multiple age groups, sexes and regions over a 33-year period.
According to the findings, mental disorder cases rose from about 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 surged from 182 million cases in 1990 to 470 million in 2023, while depressive disorders rose from 102 million to 236 million within the same period.
The study also noted that while conditions such as anorexia, bulimia and schizophrenia recorded lower prevalence rates, they continue to contribute significantly to the global health burden due to their severity and long-term impact.
It further revealed that most mental health conditions were more common among females, while disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, conduct disorders and certain developmental intellectual disabilities were more prevalent among males.
The researchers said mental health burden peaks among adolescents aged 15 to 19, describing the period as a critical stage of brain and social development that shapes education, employment and life outcomes.
They also observed that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened some conditions, with depression rates rising further during the period and failing to return to pre-pandemic levels, while anxiety disorders have remained persistently high.
Mental disorders were ranked as the fifth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally in 2023, rising 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 about 92.6 million DALYs compared to 78.6 million among 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 detection, prevention, and equitable access to treatment, stressing that addressing mental health needs across age groups and regions is now “an obligation, not a choice.”
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