Anxiety Rates by Country 2026

Understanding Anxiety Rates

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the world. They can include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and several related conditions that affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, and daily functioning. While occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, anxiety disorders involve persistent symptoms that can interfere with work, relationships, and overall well-being.

The figures in this dataset represent estimated anxiety cases per 100,000 people. Using a standardized rate allows researchers to compare countries of different sizes on an equal basis. These estimates are based on available health data and statistical modeling rather than a direct count of every individual experiencing anxiety. As a result, the numbers provide a useful measure of prevalence while also reflecting differences in healthcare systems, reporting practices, and data availability across countries.

Countries With the Highest Anxiety Rates

Portugal has the highest estimated anxiety rate in the dataset, with 13,291 cases per 100,000 people in 2023. Malta ranks second at 12,722, followed by Brazil at 12,397, Iran at 12,279, and the Netherlands at 12,077. Several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Cyprus, Peru, and Togo, also report rates exceeding 10,000 cases per 100,000 people.

The countries at the top of the rankings span multiple regions, including Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. This suggests that elevated anxiety rates are not limited to any single part of the world. While the reasons for these differences vary from country to country, the data indicates that anxiety disorders represent a significant public health concern across a wide range of societies.

Changes Between 2020 and 2023

Most countries in the most recently available dataset in mid-2026 experienced increases in estimated anxiety rates between 2020 and 2023. Portugal rose from 11,188 cases per 100,000 people to 13,291, while the Netherlands increased from 9,654 to 12,077. Brazil, Iran, and the United Kingdom also recorded notable increases during the same period, reflecting a broader upward trend seen across many regions.

The pattern is not limited to the highest-ranked countries. Nations throughout Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania generally reported higher anxiety prevalence in 2023 than in 2020. Although the size of the increase varied considerably from country to country, the data suggests that anxiety disorders became more common over this period, contributing to a growing mental health burden in many parts of the world.

Global Patterns in Anxiety Prevalence

The data points to substantial variation in anxiety rates around the world. Many of the highest-ranked countries are located in Europe, including Portugal, Malta, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Greece. Several Latin American countries, such as Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay, also report relatively high prevalence rates, while countries in East and Southeast Asia generally appear lower in the rankings.

Despite these regional differences, anxiety disorders are present in every part of the world. Even countries with comparatively lower prevalence rates still report thousands of cases per 100,000 people. The wide range of results shows the complexity of measuring mental health across different populations and reveals the global nature of anxiety as a public health challenge.