Indian Youth Mental Health Plummets: Ranks 60th Globally

A recent global study by Sapien Labs indicates a significant decline in the mental well-being of Indian young adults. In the 2025 Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) assessment, individuals aged 18-34 ranked a concerning 60th out of 84 participating nations.

This score places Indian youth in the 'Distressed or Struggling' category, with an average MHQ score of approximately 33. Notably, this is considerably lower than older Indians (above 55), who achieved an average score of nearly 100, falling into the 'Managing or Succeeding' bracket and ranking 49th globally.

Study founder Tara Thiagarajan noted that while the mental health of older adults has remained stable since 2019, younger generations experienced a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic from which they have not recovered. The trend is most pronounced in wealthier, developed countries, suggesting modern life aspects contribute significantly.

Factors identified as root causes include weakened family bonds, reduced spirituality, early adoption of smartphones (average age 16.5 in India), and higher consumption of ultra-processed foods among the youth. In contrast, countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya showed better mind health outcomes.

Despite substantial investments in mental health research and care in Western countries, outcomes have not improved, often worse than nations with minimal spending. This suggests a need to address the underlying causes rather than merely treating symptoms, as traditional interventions provide only incremental relief.