Nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide had mental disorders in 2023, representing a 95.5% increase since 1990, according to a study published in The Lancet. The largest increases occurred in anxiety and depression, which were also the most common mental disorders in 2023, followed by a residual category of personality disorders not accompanied by other mental or substance use disorders.
Researchers found an 158% rise in anxiety and a 131% increase in depression compared with 1990 levels. The least common disorders measured were anorexia, bulimia, and schizophrenia, with roughly 4 million, 14 million, and 26 million cases respectively in 2023. All 12 measured disorders—including bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, conduct disorder, and others—showed increases over the study period. Most mental disorders were more common in females, though autism, conduct disorders, ADHD, personality disorders, and intellectual disability were more common in males.
The study revealed a notable demographic shift: mental illness increasingly affects younger people, with ages 15 to 39 experiencing the highest burden. The peak in the 15- to 19-year-old age group marks a first in the Global Burden of Disease study history. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of anxiety, depression, and some other disorders were already increasing; depression increased during and since the crisis and has not returned to pre-pandemic rates, while anxiety peaked and remained high through 2023.
Dr. Damian Santomauro, the study’s lead author, noted that addressing risk factors requires global collective leadership. Experts cite multiple contributing factors including genetics, economic instability, trauma, inadequate healthcare, political conflict, warfare, food insecurity, intimate partner violence, discrimination, and declining social connection.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://ktvz.com/health/cnn-health/2026/05/21/nearly-1-2-billion-people-worldwide-are-living-with-mental-disorders-the-number-has-been-growing/