France leads Europe in pre-pandemic depression rates, new study finds

A recent report examining depression levels across Europe revealed that France had the highest pre-pandemic depression rate among European countries.

According to data from the French health and social ministries (DREES), approximately 11% of the population in France experienced depression in 2019, the highest of any European nation, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The analysis, which utilized data from the European Health Interview Survey, surveyed 300,000 people across the European Union, Norway, Iceland, and Serbia. The study assessed whether individuals had suffered from depressive symptoms in the past two weeks, based on a set of diagnostic criteria.

The report coincides with growing concerns over mental health in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among younger people in France and other European countries. The DREES analysis also focused on two age groups: young people aged 15 to 24 and older individuals aged 70 and above.

Jocelyne Caboche, a researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research, suggested that while France’s relatively higher depression levels could be attributed to a variety of factors, it might stem from an accumulation of issues. She noted that while France has strong healthcare and education systems, more attention is needed for elderly care. Improved investments in psychiatry and therapeutic innovations could help alleviate some of the depression levels, she said.

The study revealed that northern and western European countries generally have higher depression rates, with the highest depression levels found in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. On the other hand, depression rates were lower among young people in southern and eastern European countries but were notably higher among older individuals, especially in countries like Portugal, Romania, and Croatia, where depression rates exceed 15% among seniors. The report noted that older women, particularly those in poor health, were more likely to experience depression.

Social isolation, widowhood, and poor health were identified as key factors influencing depression in older individuals, particularly in eastern and southern Europe. For younger people, factors like social isolation, lack of education or employment, and income levels were closely linked to higher depression rates. Additionally, social media’s impact on body image, sleep patterns, and cyber-harassment was highlighted as contributing to mental health issues among the youth.

The study also found that poor health among young people significantly increased the likelihood of depression, by up to 32 percentage points. However, the report acknowledged that differences in mental health assessment methods across countries could impact the findings.

By Vugar Khalilov