Updated trends in the global prevalence and burden of mental disorders, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and Bayesian meta-regression of global epidemiological data (level assigned by design analogy, not clinical CEBM)
PubMed 42167272 · doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00519-2
What was done
As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023, researchers modeled the prevalence, incidence, and burden of 12 mental disorders across 204 countries and territories, 21 regions, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles from 1990 to 2023. Epidemiological data identified through a literature review were analyzed via Bayesian meta-regression. Years lived with disability (YLDs) were calculated by multiplying disorder prevalence by disability weights. Years of life lost (YLLs) were modeled solely for anorexia nervosa using Cause of Death Ensemble modelling. Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were reported as YLDs plus YLLs for anorexia nervosa and as YLDs alone for all other mental disorders.
What was found
In 2023, there were an estimated 1.17 billion (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 1.06–1.31 billion) prevalent cases of mental disorders worldwide, with an age-standardised prevalence of 14,210.7 (95% UI: 12,849.5–15,940.1) per 100,000 population. This represented a 95.5% (95% UI: 75.0–121.2) increase in case counts and a 24.2% (95% UI: 11.4–41.4) increase in age-standardised prevalence rate since 1990. Mental disorders accounted for 171 million (95% UI: 127–228 million) DALYs in 2023 (age-standardised rate: 2070.5 per 100,000), comprising 6.1% (95% UI: 4.8–7.6) of all-cause global DALYs (rising from 12th rank in 1990 to 5th in 2023). Mental disorders were the leading cause of global YLDs in 2023, contributing 17.3% (95% UI: 14.8–20.6) of all YLDs. Anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder were the leading contributors to mental disorder DALYs. Burden peaked in the 15–19 age group (2617.3 DALYs per 100,000) and was higher in females (2239.6 per 100,000) than males (1900.2 per 100,000).
Why it matters
This study provides updated global benchmark figures establishing mental disorders as the primary driver of non-fatal disease burden worldwide, showing expanding prevalence across all global regions between 1990 and 2023.
Limits
Data availability and surveillance quality vary widely across regions, necessitating extensive model-based imputation particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Anorexia nervosa was the only mental disorder modeled as an underlying cause of death, excluding excess mortality from suicide or somatic complications of other severe psychiatric disorders from the YLL calculations. The abstract does not state the total number of primary studies or participants included.
Cited by
- supports Research indicates that rates of anxiety, stress, and depression are increasing consistently.