NEW DELHI, May 22: The global burden of mental disorders has more than doubled since 1990, making them the leading cause of disability worldwide and surpassing cardiovascular disease, cancer and musculoskeletal conditions, a new study in The Lancet reports.
Researchers from the University of Queensland, the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and the University of Washington estimated that nearly 1.2 billion people were living with a mental disorder in 2023—almost twice the number in 1990. The rise was driven mainly by increases in anxiety and depression, with adolescents aged 15–19 and women disproportionately affected.
In 2023, 620 million women of all ages lived with a mental disorder compared with 552 million men. Mental disorders accounted for more than 17% of all years lived with disability globally.
India saw large increases: the age-standardised prevalence of anxiety disorders for both sexes rose from about 2,592 per 100,000 in 1990 to 5,793 per 100,000 in 2023, an increase of 123.5%. Among women the rise was 136.7%, versus 102% among men.
“These rising trends may reflect both the lingering effects of pandemic-related stress and longer-term structural drivers such as poverty, insecurity, abuse, violence, and declining social connectedness,” said Damian Santomauro, lead author and associate professor at QCMHR.
The study analysed data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2023 for 12 mental disorders, including anxiety, major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and eating disorders. The authors stressed that mental disorders imposed a substantial health burden across countries regardless of available health resources, and called for stronger surveillance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Women experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression in 2023, while neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorders such as ADHD, conduct disorder and autism were more common in males and typically peaked in adolescence. Globally, the highest burden occurred in the 15–19 age group, highlighting the need for early prevention and targeted support for young people.
The findings echo a September 2025 WHO report that estimated more than a billion people were living with a mental health condition in 2021, with anxiety and depressive disorders making up about two-thirds of cases.
Alize Ferrari of the University of Queensland’s School of Public Health said the results show that global responses to mental disorders remain inadequate. She noted that uneven data quality and availability may influence observed trends and pointed to multiple risk factors—including child maltreatment, domestic violence, inequality, climate change, pandemics, conflict and natural disasters—that likely contribute to the rising burden.
The authors urged sustained investment in mental health systems, expanded access to care, and coordinated global action to support populations most at risk.
