Global Mental Health Declines, Youth Hit Hardest
A 92-country survey of 50,000 people finds mental well-being slipping, with younger respondents reporting the lowest scores.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Mental Health
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A survey of 50,000 people across 92 countries, conducted predominantly online, found declining mental health worldwide, especially among young people. Respondents answered 10 mental health questions covering stress, depression, anxiety and overall life satisfaction.
Why it matters
The findings point to a broad international decline in psychological well-being rather than a problem confined to individual countries. Lead author Kai Ruggeri called for specific policy commitments on livelihoods, burnout and access to mental health care.
The survey drew on 50,000 respondents in 92 countries, with 10 mental health questions covering stress, depression and anxiety. Exact score differences by age and the underlying causes of the decline remain unspecified in the findings.
The players
Kai Ruggeri
Lead author of the survey who called for specific policy commitments on livelihoods, burnout and mental health care access.
Columbia University
The American research university that published the survey findings and report on global mental health.
The details
Researchers at Columbia University published the survey findings in 2026, collecting data on stress, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction alongside age, sex, wealth and employment. Employed people and those with higher incomes reported better mental health and well-being scores, while relationships, meaning, competence, engagement and self-esteem scored highest across dimensions.
Timeline
• Columbia University published the survey findings on November 2, 2026.
Health Landscape
The findings extend a growing body of population-level research that measures mental well-being across countries rather than relying solely on clinical diagnoses. They suggest that broad declines in psychological health are emerging as a global public health concern tied to employment, income and burnout.
Readers who feel stress, anxiety or burnout can seek support through primary care or mental health services. The survey suggests that employment and income correlate with better mental health scores, which may inform decisions about work-life balance.
The takeaway
Mental well-being is measurable at a global scale, and the survey indicates that employment, income and relationships are strongly tied to how people feel. Paying attention to these factors can help individuals and policymakers focus on what protects psychological health.
Further reading
Explore more on Mental Health and how global well-being trends are being tracked.
More information
Read the full Social Indicators Research study on global mental wealth.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News-Medical.
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