Rising global burden of anxiety disorders among adolescents and young adults: trends, risk factors, and the impact of socioeconomic disparities and COVID-19 from 1990 to 2021

Summary & key facts

This study used Global Burden of Disease (GBD 2021) data from 204 countries to look at anxiety disorders in people aged 10–24 between 1990 and 2021. It found a 52% rise in new cases over that time, with a sharp jump after 2019. Girls had higher rates than boys. The authors report that socioeconomic differences (especially in middle SDI regions) and the COVID-19 period were linked to the rise, and they urged early, community-focused prevention and management.

Key facts:

• From 1990 to 2021 the global incidence of anxiety disorders in people aged 10–24 increased by 52%.
• A sharp increase in incidence occurred from 2019 to 2021, after a slower rise since 2001.
• The 10–14 age group showed particularly large increases in incidence.
• Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rose notably among 20–24-year-olds, indicating greater disability from anxiety in that older subgroup.
• Females had higher prevalence rates of anxiety disorders than males across the study period.
• Regions with middle Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) had the highest incidence and prevalence, while high SDI regions showed the largest increases over time.
• India had the highest number of anxiety disorder cases among countries studied, and Mexico experienced the largest increase in cases.
• Bullying victimization was identified by the study as a significant risk factor, especially in regions with a high burden of anxiety.
• The analysis used GBD 2021 data and statistical modeling (including Joinpoint regression) across 204 countries; the estimates are model-based and include uncertainty intervals in the original GBD outputs.

Abstract

The rising incidence of anxiety disorders among adolescents and young adults over the past 30 years reflects the increasing global mental health burden. Socioeconomic factors, particularly in middle SDI regions, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated this trend. Effective, targeted interventions focusing on early prevention and community-based mental health management are urgently needed to mitigate the long-term impact on young populations globally.

Topics

Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development COVID-19 and Mental Health

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Anxiety Demography Disease burden Environmental health Gerontology Incidence (geometry) Medicine Optics Physics Population Psychiatry Socioeconomic status Sociology Young adult

Conditions & symptoms

Anxiety Anxiety or worry Panic