A systematic review published in *The Lancet*, as part of the Global Burden of Disease 2023 (GBD 2023) study, reveals the alarming scale of mental health disorders worldwide—and confirms a trend that mental health experts have long warned about: the problem is getting worse, affects the entire population, and continues to be underestimated by public health policies.
The numbers that leave no room for doubt
In 2023, there were an estimated 1.17 billion cases of mental disorders worldwide —a 95.5% increase compared to 1990. The age-adjusted prevalence rose by 24.2% over the same period. Among the disorders with the most significant increases are anxiety, major depression, dysthymia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, schizophrenia, and conduct disorder.
The impact in terms of disability is equally significant: mental disorders accounted for 171 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2023, corresponding to 6.1% of the global total—making them the fifth leading cause of DALYs worldwide, up from 12th place in 1990. They are also the leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs), accounting for 17.3% of the global total.
Who is most affected?
The data reveal significant differences between genders and age groups. Women have higher DALY rates than men, and the impact is most pronounced among those aged 15 to 19 —a worrying sign regarding the mental health of young people. The geographic distribution is also uneven: all countries recorded an increase in DALY rates between 1990 and 2023, but the figures vary considerably from country to country.
Among the mental disorders with the greatest global impact are anxiety disorders, major depression, and schizophrenia.
An obligation, not a choice
The study’s findings are unequivocal: the burden of mental disorders cuts across all countries, regardless of available resources. The authors argue for the need for more robust surveillance systems—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—as well as more coordinated and inclusive policies focused on prevention and early treatment, tailored to differences in gender, age, and geographic location. Addressing the mental health needs of the global population, they conclude, “is an obligation, not a choice.”
The study was funded by the Gates Foundation, Queensland Health, and the University of Queensland in Australia.
