In recent years, the world has been grappling with a silent epidemic, one that often hides in plain sight: the decline of global mental well-being. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, our collective mental health has taken a significant hit, with troubling trends emerging across various demographics and geographic regions. The fourth annual Mental State of the World Report, compiled by the Global Mind Project, sheds light on the alarming persistence of this decline.
Insights And Statistics Reveal The Reality
Despite hopes of a rebound post-pandemic, the data indicates a troubling stagnation in mental well-being, suggesting that the effects of diminished global mental health have become entrenched in our societal fabric.
- Continued Decline
Mental well-being has remained stagnant since 2021, with no signs of returning to pre-pandemic levels. Across the 71 countries surveyed, MHQ scores remained largely unchanged, underscoring the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our collective psyche.
- Generational Divide
Younger generations, particularly those under 35, bore the brunt of the pandemic’s mental health toll. While older age groups remained steady, younger cohorts experienced steep declines in mental well-being, exacerbating pre-existing trends of poorer mental health among the youth.
- Global Rankings
Surprisingly, wealthier countries in the Core Anglosphere found themselves at the bottom of the mental well-being rankings, while many Latin American and African nations topped the list. This inverse relationship between wealth and mental well-being challenges conventional wisdom and underscores the complex interplay of socioeconomic factors.
- Key Contributors
Insights from the report highlight two major contributors to mental health challenges: the age of first smartphone ownership and the consumption of ultra-processed foods. Notably, wealthier countries exhibited earlier smartphone ownership and higher consumption of processed foods, suggesting a link between affluence and detrimental lifestyle choices.
Mental State Of The World Report 2023 Country Rankings
Countries like the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania emerged as leaders in mental well-being, boasting MHQ scores of 88 or higher. Conversely, nations including Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan ranked lowest in mental well-being, with MHQ scores ranging from 48 to 53.
Here’s the complete list, from the happiest to the unhappiest countries:
- Dominican Republic
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Panama
- Malaysia
- Nigeria
- Venezuela
- El Salvador
- Costa Rica
- Uruguay
- Italy
- Puerto Rico
- Honduras
- Armenia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Philippines
- Georgia
- Israel
- Colombia
- Peru
- Singapore
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Zimbabwe
- Ecuador
- Republic of Moldova
- Portugal
- Kenya
- United States
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Argentina
- Paraguay
- Guatemala
- Mozambique
- France
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Chile
- Jordan
- Saudi Arabia
- Canada
- United Arab Emirates
- Cameroon
- Tunisia
- Belarus
- Angola
- Syria
- Belgium
- Morocco
- Sudan
- Algeria
- Spain
- New Zealand
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Germany
- Pakistan
- Kazakhstan
- Ukraine
- Bolivia
- Kyrgyzstan
- India
- Yemen
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Egypt
- Australia
- Tajikistan
- Brazil
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- Uzbekistan
In conclusion, the mental well-being crisis demands immediate attention and concerted action. The path forward requires a holistic approach that prioritises mental well-being as a fundamental pillar of societal progress.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva
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