Five African nations, namely Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania, have been identified as leading countries globally in terms of youth mental well-being, despite the fact that 41 percent of young adults worldwide face significant psychological challenges.
The 2025 Global Mind Health Report, published by Sapien Labs, revealed that 41 percent of young adults aged 18 to 34 with internet access in 84 countries are facing what scientists refer to as a "mind health crisis."
The research published on Wednesday utilizes information gathered from almost one million participants via the Global Mind Project, one of the most extensive continuous global evaluations of mental health.
As per the report, Ghana topped the global list for youth mental health, with Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania following. The top five spots were all filled by countries from sub-Saharan Africa, whereas high-income nations such as the United States, Canada, various European countries, Japan, and Australia were positioned near the bottom.
The rankings were based on the Mind Health Quotient, a combined score that evaluates 47 aspects of emotional, social, cognitive, and physical well-being necessary for successfully managing work, relationships, and everyday life.
In the case of Nigeria, young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 have a Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) of 64, placing their country at position 2 among 84 nations. Meanwhile, older adults in Nigeria are ranked 10th globally, yet they achieve a higher MHQ score of 113.
In general, Nigeria ranked among the top countries regarding its MHQ scores. Individuals aged 18-24 had a score of 66th, indicating an earlier age of smartphone use in childhood (at 16 years) or a higher proportion of children using smartphones. Both age groups were placed in the lower third for regular consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods, UPF, with a rank of 57 for those aged 18-34 and 59 for those over 55.
The position of family closeness decreased from 15th for individuals aged 55 and older (80 percent) to 41st for those between 18 and 34 (61 percent). Both age groups received high scores regarding spirituality, with a rank of 13 for those aged 18-34 and a rank of 7 for those 55 and older.
Experts noted that the results indicated a significant shift across generations. In the early 2000s, young adults were seen as the most mentally healthy group. Now, they are four times more prone to face severe mental health issues that greatly affect their work and overall well-being.
As stated by the founder and chief scientist of Sapien Labs and the report's lead author, Tara Thiagarajan: "The mental health crisis seems to be a gradual decline across generations and extends well beyond increasing levels of depression and anxiety. In addition to these issues, many young adults are facing challenges with emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, and concentration."
The study highlighted four main factors contributing to the worldwide decrease: early exposure to smartphones during childhood, higher intake of highly processed foods, weakened family relationships, and reduced spiritual involvement.
People aged 18 to 24 who got their first smartphone at a younger age are more prone to face mental health issues in adulthood. It is estimated that ultra-processed foods contribute between 15 and 30 percent of the mental health problems when other factors are considered. Those with weak family relationships are nearly four times more likely to experience distress or difficulties compared to individuals with solid family connections.
Spirituality became a significant protective element. Young adults who felt a strong bond with a higher power achieved at least 20 points more on the Mind Health Quotient compared to those with lower spirituality levels. Tanzania led the world in spirituality assessments and also had one of the oldest average ages for smartphone usage.
The research also indicates a potential inverse connection between a nation's wealth and the mental health of its young people, as several countries in sub-Saharan Africa performed better than many more affluent economies on important measures. Nevertheless, experts warned that although African youth hold a strong position globally, they still scored lower than older age groups within their own nations, highlighting a common generational divide.
The growing gap between young people and older adults started prior to 2020 and became more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as youth mental health dropped significantly while older individuals saw only slight decreases. In the last five years, the difference has stayed relatively stable.
In the United States, investment in mental health research and treatment has increased significantly, by billions of dollars, similar to trends seen in other Western nations. However, as Thiagarajan noted, "this progress is not making a substantial difference." "We must start addressing the larger issues that negatively impact the productivity and happiness of young adults globally."
An economics professor at Dartmouth College, David Blanchflower, cautioned that the level of hardship faced by young adults presents a significant economic risk.
"If nearly half of the global core workforce is dealing with various mental health issues, it presents a crisis that could threaten entire economies and societies," he stated.
The document recommended policy actions such as limiting smartphone usage while students are in school, setting a minimum age for accessing social media platforms, and enhancing oversight and study of the components present in highly processed foods.
In Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania, experts noted that the current challenge is to maintain the cultural and social assets contributing to their top positions, while avoiding the intergenerational decline in mental well-being observed in other regions.
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Tagged: Nigeria, Ghana, Health and Medicine, Children and Youth, West Africa
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