One in five European adults lives with anxiety or depression. The alarm from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and the OECD on World Mental Health Day. The costs exceed 4% of GDP in the EU
Italians and Europeans are tired, anxious and depressed. The data released by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and the OECD for World Health Day, which is celebrated on 10 October, speak of a tired continent, where psychological distress is growing in proportion to economic difficulties and loneliness and where the provision of care remains inadequate. More than 6% of Italian adults and around 9% of over 65s have recurrent depressive symptoms, such as to compromise psychological well-being for more than half the days of each month. AND At European level, one in five adults lives with anxiety or depression. Not only a health issue, but also one with strong consequences: loss of productivity, social exclusion and overall costs exceeding 4% of GDP in European Union countries
In Italy, depression is growing among adults and the elderly: data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità
The survey by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, conducted through the Passi and Passi d’Argento surveillance in the two-year period 2023-2024, speaks clearly: depression is now a widespread condition, stratified by age, gender and socioeconomic status. Among adults, just over 6% say they feel depressed for almost 16 days a month, compared to less than 2 days among those who show no symptoms. The prevalence grows among women (7%), people with economic difficulties (18%), those who live alone (7%), and those living with chronic pathologies (11%). Only two out of three people ask for help, mainly turning to doctors or healthcare professionals. The discomfort grows with age: nine out of one hundred over-65s suffer from depressive symptoms, with peaks of 13% among those over 85. Here too, the economic disparity weighs heavily: 25% of elderly people with serious economic difficulties show signs of depression, compared to 6% of those without income problems. Women are more vulnerable (12% compared to 5% of men) and loneliness emerges as a determining factor. From a geographical point of view, a sort of equilibrium has been reached: in the South the prevalence decreased constantly from 2008 to 2024, while in the North the trend stabilized after 2016 and in the Centre, after an initial reduction, there has been a new growth since 2018.
Mental health under pressure: demand for treatment is growing
At the same time, the ISS records a growth in the demand for psychiatric assistance: hospital admissions, emergency room consultations and cases of self-harm are increasing. And in the face of a boom in requests, the staff, however, is not growing at the same rate. While the number of psychologists and social workers increases slightly, the availability of psychiatrists and psychiatric rehabilitation therapists is reduced, with a contraction also in support services. telemedicinetoday replaced by interventions almost exclusively in person.
Europe: one in five adults lives with anxiety or depression. The OECD raises the economic alarm
Looking at the whole of Europe, the numbers are no longer optimistic. The OECD report “Mental Health Promotion and Prevention” (2025) tells us that 20% of the adult population shows symptoms of anxiety or depression, but over two thirds do not receive adequate assistance. The economic cost is enormous: over 4% of European GDP is eroded between direct healthcare costs and lost productivity. Women and young people are the most vulnerable groups: rates of moderate or severe depression are 62% higher among women, while men remain more exposed to the risk of suicide. Furthermore, 75% of mental disorders appear before the age of 25. In Italy, the OECD notes a trend similar to the European one, but with some critical issues: lack of psychologists (3.5 per thousand inhabitants), low spending on prevention (0.6% of GDP) and strong territorial inequalities in access to services. The OECD also notes a delay in the adoption of digital technologies for mental health and the absence of a fully operational national strategic plan. A void that the new National Action Plan for Mental Health (2025-2030), for now on paper, aims to fill.
