Depression Worldwide

Depression affects about 280 million people worldwide

The World Health Organization estimates that around 280 million people live with depression globally—roughly 5% of adults—making it one of the most common mental disorders worldwide.

Jan 7, 2026
Depression affects about 280 million people worldwide

“280 million people” is an estimate for how many people worldwide live with depression.

A few useful context points:

  • The WHO also summarizes this burden as about 5% of adults globally.
  • These are population estimates, not a precise count. They can shift with new surveys, changing diagnostic criteria, and differences in how countries measure and report depression.

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depression global-health mental-health epidemiology who

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