4 min readUpdated: May 22, 2026 03:36 PM IST
Anxiety disorders in India rose significantly by 123.5 per cent between 1990 and 2023, according to a new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study published in The Lancet.
The prevalence rate increased from 2,591.9 cases per lakh in 1990 to 5,792.8 per lakh in 2023, largely driven by rising numbers of anxiety and depression.
Nearly 1.2 billion people worldwide are living with mental health conditions, almost double the number recorded in 1990 as per the study led by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in collaboration with partners at the University of Queensland.
A significant health burden was imposed by mental disorders in all countries and territories in 2023, irrespective of the health resources available, which, according to the study, has placed mental disorders as the leading cause of disability globally, surpassing cardiovascular disease, cancer and musculoskeletal conditions.
Inside the India spiral
In India, as per the study, the prevalence rate of 316.3 cases of schizophrenia per lakh population climbed to 321 per lakh in 2023. The prevalence of major depressive disorders also rose from 2,147.1 per lakh in 1990 to 2,799.6 per lakh. The prevalence of dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder) was 902.4 per lakh population in 1990, which rose to 948.8 cases per lakh in 2023.
“Anxiety and depression showed an increase particularly post Covid-19. Anxiety disorders have increased globally across time and the reasons include compounding environmental stresses, shifting modern lifestyles and increased awareness that leads to better reporting,” says Dr Pratima Murthy, former director of NIMHANS (not attached with the study).
Dr Girish Rao, professor of epidemiology, NIMHANS, says at least 150 million Indians required care of mental disorders as per the first national mental health survey in 2015-16.
Story continues below this ad
Mental health burden peaks among 15-19 year-olds
The study examined the prevalence and burden of mental disorders across both sexes in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. Since 2019, the age-standardised prevalence of major depressive disorder has risen by about 24 per cent, while anxiety disorders have increased by more than 47 per cent, with both conditions peaking in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“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. Addressing this growing challenge will require sustained investment in mental health systems, expanded access to care and coordinated global action to better support populations most at risk,” says first author Dr. Damian Santomauro, associate professor at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research. “Our findings show that mental disorder burden peaks among 15–19-year-olds, which is a critical developmental period that can shape trajectories for education, employment, and relationships,” co-author Dr Alize Ferrari, honorary associate professor at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research adds.
Women experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression in 2023
In 2023, 620 million women of all ages were living with a mental disorder compared to 552 million men of all ages globally. Women experienced higher rates of anxiety and depression in 2023, while neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorders such as ADHD, conduct disorder and autism were found to be more common in males, peaking during adolescence. The study also highlights significant gaps in treatment, with only 9% of people with depression and anxiety receiving even minimally adequate care, such as a combination of medication and support from a health care provider.
Dr Murthy feels the National Mental Health Survey-2 (NMHS 2) can get us the current prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders. “It is being carried out across all states and UTs covering a population of 2.5 lakh people. Apart from the adult population, it is systematically assessing children, adolescents, tribal and vulnerable populations. The survey is also estimating disability, treatment gaps (which were upwards of 75 % in NMHS-1) emerging mental health problems like loneliness, barriers to care, health system responses and family burden as well as household economic impact,” she says. This, she believes, can give a systematic evaluation of the problem as well as human resource availability, service delivery capacity, referral pathways, programme implementation gaps and help articulate both a national and state-wise response to specific mental health issues.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
