MMore than a billion people suffer from some type of mental disorder. This figure is terrifying, but the truth is that it represents an estimate limited by underreporting and the lack of precise data on clinical diagnosis. Specialists warn that the prevalence may be much higher than is believed.
With the information provided by the (IHME) and the (GBD), prepared an exhaustive report with the best information available on the prevalence of disorders classified by the most frequent and debilitating, separated by gender, age and country, which allows us to understand factors related to mental disorders a little better.
At we have prepared and translated this information so that you can view the data globally and in your region.
Mental disorders and drug use disorders
It is estimated that more than 1.1 billion people in the world suffer from some type of mental disorder.
The most prevalent mental disorders are:
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- Anxiety disorders with 3.83%
- Depression with 3.77%
- Disorders related to alcohol use 1.37%
- Disorders related to drug use (not alcohol) with 0.61%
- Schizophrenia 0.29%
- Eating disorders with 0.14%
Mental disorders according to gender
Globally, mental disorders are more common in men. However, when examining the prevalence by country, it is found that depression, anxiety, eating disorders and bipolar disorder are more prevalent in women. Regarding schizophrenia and disorders related to drug and alcohol use, the prevalence is higher in men.
Anxiety disorders (global prevalence)
More than 275 million people suffer from some anxiety disorder (170 million are women and 105 million are men), making it the most prevalent type of disorder in the world.
Anxiety disorders according to gender
Estimates suggest that women are the most likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder. The following graph shows the prevalence in men on the vertical axis (y) and the prevalence in women on the horizontal axis (x). You can click on play to visualize the changes in prevalence between the years 1990 and 2016.
Anxiety disorders according to age
The following graph shows the age groups that suffer the most from anxiety. You can see the specific data for your country by clicking on change country.
Depression (global prevalence)
It is estimated that worldwide there are more than 268 million people with depression. In the following graph you can see how this estimate is divided by continent:
In the next graph you can see the prevalence by country from 1990 to 2016:
Depression according to gender
In all countries, the average prevalence of depression is higher in women:
Depression according to age
Data show that people over 70 years of age are those at greatest risk of suffering from depression. Click on change country to view statistics for your country.
Bipolar disorder (global prevalence)
There are more than 40 million people who suffer from bipolar disorder. The prevalence of the disorder by country can vary between 0.4% and 1.5%.
Bipolar disorder according to gender
Estimates based on epidemiological and medical data suggest that the prevalence of bipolar disorder is higher in women (55% are women and 45% are men). Click on play to see the historical trend from 1990 to 2016.
Bipolar disorder according to age
People between 20 and 24 years old are most at risk of suffering from bipolar disorder.
Eating disorders (global prevalence)
It is estimated that 10.5 million people in the world suffer from anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa is the most common eating disorder with 75% of cases. The prevalence of eating disorders is between 0.05% and 0.55% depending on the country.
Eating disorders according to gender
The prevalence of eating disorders is higher in women. You can click on search to view the data for your country.
Eating disorders according to age
Global estimates suggest that eating disorders are most prevalent in adolescents and adults up to 34 years of age. You can view the statistics for your country by clicking on change country.
Eating disorders: direct deaths
The graph below shows the estimated number of deaths caused by eating disorders. Analyzes also show that the risk of suicide increases when suffering from an eating disorder. However, deaths by suicide are not included in this graph.
Schizophrenia (global prevalence)
More than 21 million people suffer from schizophrenia worldwide. The prevalence depending on the country is between 0.2 and 0.45 percent.
Schizophrenia according to gender
Epidemiological data suggest that its prevalence is very similar in both genders but slightly higher in men.
Schizophrenia according to age
Even with a slight decline, the prevalence of schizophrenia remains highest in people between 30 and 34 years of age.
Mental disorders as a risk factor for suicide
Meta-analyses of psychological autopsies suggest that 90% of suicide deaths are the result of an underlying mental disorder or substance use disorder.
A person with depression has almost 20 times the risk of dying by suicide than a person without a mental disorder. The following table presents the estimate of the increased risk of suicide in a person diagnosed with a mental disorder.
We invite you to read the article, with statistical graphs on suicidal behavior worldwide and the most important risk factors.
Bibliographic references: Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser (2019) – “Mental Health”. Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: ”