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- Iceland has the highest depression rate in Europe, with 15.6% of its population affected.
- Depression rates are rising among young people, with countries like Sweden and Croatia showing alarming trends.
- Economic struggles, social isolation, and alcohol consumption are major factors behind Europe’s mental health crisis.
Which European Nations Have the Highest Depression Rates? The Shocking Truth
Depression is a growing crisis worldwide, but in Europe, some countries are struggling more than others. While over 320 million people globally suffer from depression, Europe has some of the highest rates, with shocking trends among young people and the elderly alike.
Despite living in wealthy, developed nations, many Europeans battle social isolation, alcohol abuse, economic struggles, and psychological distress. Let’s break down the 10 most depressed nations in Europe, based on the latest EUROSTAT data.
🔟 Latvia – 8.4% Depression Rate
📉 Low antidepressant use, high untreated cases
🍷 Alcoholism is a major factor
💔 High rates of childhood trauma
Latvia ranks among Europe’s most depressed nations, yet many Latvians don’t seek treatment. With only 20 antidepressant doses per 1,000 people (the lowest on this list), depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Alcoholism is a major issue, affecting 13% of the population, with roots in childhood trauma and post-Soviet economic struggles.
9️⃣ Finland – 8.8% Depression Rate
🏆 "Happiest country in the world"… really?
🌑 Long, dark winters contribute to seasonal depression
🍻 Alcohol consumption & depression closely linked
Finland may top the World Happiness Report, but behind the rankings, depression and suicide remain major concerns. Antidepressant use has skyrocketed by 130% in the last 20 years, with 82 daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants. Experts say long winters, alcohol abuse, and growing social isolation are major contributing factors.
8️⃣ United Kingdom – 8.9% Depression Rate
💰 Wealth inequality fuels mental health struggles
📊 The poor, sick, and young suffer the most
📉 Cost of living crisis deepens depression
In the UK, depression disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable. The bottom 14 million Britons saw a 7.5% drop in income, while the richest 20% got even wealthier. Rising bills, job insecurity, and mental health care gaps have led to record-high antidepressant prescriptions.
7️⃣ Luxembourg – 10% Depression Rate
🧒 Youth depression on the rise
📈 23% of students report feeling hopeless
🩺 One of the highest antidepressant budgets in Europe
Despite being one of Europe’s wealthiest nations, Luxembourg faces a growing youth mental health crisis. A 2014 survey found that 15% of teenagers had considered suicide, while 8% had attempted it. Among second-generation immigrants, depression rates are even higher, revealing hidden social struggles in a country often seen as an economic paradise.
6️⃣ Denmark – 10% Depression Rate
📉 The only European country where antidepressant use is decreasing
🏥 But psychiatric care is being cut
💡 Growing mental health crisis, despite "happiness" rankings
Denmark's antidepressant use has dropped by 4%, but experts warn that mental health treatment is still lacking. Over the past 30 years, 65% of psychiatric hospital beds have disappeared, even as depression rates doubled. Denmark ranks high on happiness lists, but many wonder—are people really happy, or just told they should be?
5️⃣ Croatia – 11.6% Depression Rate
📊 Mental health hospitalization rates have doubled
🚨 No national suicide prevention strategy
👩🎓 Sharp rise in youth self-harm and depression
Mental health disorders are the second leading cause of hospitalization in Croatia, just after childbirth. Despite these alarming numbers, the government only recently started addressing the issue. Meanwhile, self-harm among high school students in Zagreb has nearly doubled in 5 years, with 12% of children aged 10-19 suffering from mental disorders.
4️⃣ Germany – 11.6% Depression Rate
💊 Germany spends more on antidepressants than any other EU country
👴 Elderly people are least likely to seek help
🚶♂️ 84% of depressed individuals withdraw from social life
Germany's antidepressant spending hit €783 million in 2020, yet depression rates continue to rise. While young people report the most symptoms, the elderly often suffer in silence, with depression seen as a "normal" part of aging. Social isolation is a major risk factor, with 84% of depressed Germans withdrawing from society.
3️⃣ Sweden – 11.7% Depression Rate
🧑🎓 Young adults are struggling the most
💰 The poorest are hit hardest
💊 Antidepressant use has doubled in 20 years
Sweden has the highest youth depression rate in the EU, with 41% of 15-24-year-olds at risk. Economic struggles are another major factor—17.8% of the lowest-income Swedes suffer from depression, compared to the national average of 11.7%. Meanwhile, antidepressant prescriptions have doubled in two decades.
2️⃣ Portugal – 12.2% Depression Rate
👩🦳 Older adults face the highest depression risks
💊 Second highest antidepressant use in Europe
🚺 Women are more than twice as likely to be depressed
In Portugal, older adults are four times more likely to suffer from depression than young people. Gender also plays a major role—16.4% of Portuguese women suffer from depression, compared to 7.5% of men. Antidepressant consumption has quadrupled in 20 years, now accounting for 4% of all pharmaceutical spending.
🏆 1️⃣ Iceland – 15.6% Depression Rate
💊 Highest antidepressant consumption in Europe
👩⚕️ Easier to get medication than therapy
📉 Mental health crisis among young girls
Iceland ranks as Europe’s most depressed country, despite also being one of the "happiest". Why? Mental health care is expensive, making antidepressants the cheaper option. Meanwhile, depression rates among teenage girls have soared by 90% in the last decade.
⚠️ Why Is Depression Rising in Europe?
Experts point to social isolation, economic struggles, over-reliance on medication, and mental health stigma. As one Croatian psychologist put it:
"Children are like canaries in a coal mine—when they suffer, it means something is deeply wrong with society."
💬 What do you think? Why is depression rising across Europe? Let’s talk in the comments.
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