In early 2020, characterized by the outbreak of COVID-19, across select OECD countries there was an increase in the prevalence of depression or symptoms of depression. In the United States, for example, around 23.5 percent of repondents reported suffering from depression or had symptoms of depression in 2020, while only 6.6 percent reported depression or depression symptoms in the year prior.
The graph shows the results of different national surveys measuring the prevalence of depression or symptoms of depression in early 2020 and in the year before.
National estimates of the prevalence of depression or symptoms of depression in select OECD countries in early 2020 and in the year prior to 2020
To the extent possible, 2020 prevalence estimates were taken from March-April 2020
Supplementary notes
"The survey instruments used to measure depression differ between countries, and therefore are not directly comparable, and some surveys may have small sample sizes or not use nationally representative samples. Differences in the openness of populations to discussing their mental state also hampers cross-country comparability. Where possible, surveys using the PHQ-9 instrument have been selected. 2020 data for Sweden uses a cut-off of ‘11’ for the PHQ-9, while most other studies use a cut off of ≥10."
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OECD. (May 12, 2021). National estimates of the prevalence of depression or symptoms of depression in select OECD countries in early 2020 and in the year prior to 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1310880/prevalence-of-depression-before-and-after-covid-19-select-oecd-countries/
OECD. "National estimates of the prevalence of depression or symptoms of depression in select OECD countries in early 2020 and in the year prior to 2020 ." Chart. May 12, 2021. Statista. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1310880/prevalence-of-depression-before-and-after-covid-19-select-oecd-countries/
OECD. (2021). National estimates of the prevalence of depression or symptoms of depression in select OECD countries in early 2020 and in the year prior to 2020 . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 10, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1310880/prevalence-of-depression-before-and-after-covid-19-select-oecd-countries/
OECD. "National Estimates of The Prevalence of Depression or Symptoms of Depression in Select Oecd Countries in Early 2020 and in The Year Prior to 2020 ." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 May 2021, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1310880/prevalence-of-depression-before-and-after-covid-19-select-oecd-countries/
OECD, National estimates of the prevalence of depression or symptoms of depression in select OECD countries in early 2020 and in the year prior to 2020 Statista, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1310880/prevalence-of-depression-before-and-after-covid-19-select-oecd-countries/ (last visited November 10, 2024)
National estimates of the prevalence of depression or symptoms of depression in select OECD countries in early 2020 and in the year prior to 2020 [Graph], OECD, May 12, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1310880/prevalence-of-depression-before-and-after-covid-19-select-oecd-countries/
