Mental Health
Antidepressant Use by Country 2026
- Data are focused on countries which are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which is largely made up of developed European economies. Non-OECD countries may not be listed.
- The absence of any country in the tabel shown does not indicate that the citizens of said country do not use antidepressants.
- The OECD defines pharmaceutical spending as expenditures on prescription medicines and over-the-counter self-medication (retail level only)—excluding hospital consumption—expressed per capita (adjusted for PPP) on an annual basis.
What Antidepressant Use Measures
Antidepressant use measures how frequently these medications are prescribed and used within a population. While antidepressants are commonly prescribed to treat depression, they are also used for conditions such as anxiety disorders and certain chronic health issues. As a result, antidepressant usage is not a direct measure of how many people experience depression.
Usage rates can be influenced by factors such as healthcare access, prescribing practices, and public attitudes toward mental health treatment. For this reason, differences between countries may reflect variations in healthcare systems and treatment approaches as much as differences in mental health itself.
Countries With the Highest Antidepressant Use
Iceland has the highest antidepressant usage rate according to 2024 data – the most recent available as of mid-2026, with 168.9 users per 1,000 people. Portugal follows closely at 163.4, while Canada, Sweden, and Spain round out the top five. Several other European countries, including Finland, Denmark, and Greece, also rank near the top, revealing the strong presence of Europe among the highest-usage nations.
These figures show substantial variation in antidepressant use among countries. While the leading countries report more than 100 users per 1,000 people, some nations record much lower rates. The rankings reflect differences in prescribing patterns, healthcare access, and treatment practices rather than any single measure of mental health.
Why Usage Rates Differ Among Countries
Antidepressant use varies widely across countries for a variety of reasons. Healthcare systems play an important role, as countries with broader access to medical care may diagnose and treat mental health conditions more frequently. Prescribing practices also differ, with some healthcare providers relying more heavily on medication while others emphasize counseling, psychotherapy, or other forms of treatment.
Cultural attitudes can also influence usage rates. In some countries, people may be more willing to seek treatment for mental health concerns, while in others, stigma or limited access to care can reduce the likelihood of receiving medication. These factors help explain why antidepressant usage ranges from more than 160 users per 1,000 people in countries such as Iceland and Portugal to fewer than 10 per 1,000 in Peru.
Antidepressant Use Around the World
The data reveals significant differences in antidepressant use across countries. European nations account for many of the highest-ranked countries, including Iceland, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Spain. Canada and New Zealand also rank among the global leaders, while several countries in Eastern Europe and Latin America report considerably lower usage rates.
These variations illustrate that there is no single global approach to mental health treatment. Countries differ in their healthcare systems, prescribing practices, and access to care, resulting in substantial differences in medication use. As awareness of mental health continues to evolve worldwide, antidepressant usage remains one of several indicators that can help illustrate how countries approach the treatment of depression and related conditions.
