Sapien Labs, a global leader in mental health research, has released the Mental State of the World 2024 Report, revealing that young African adults demonstrate stronger mental resilience compared to their peers in high-income nations, where youth mental well-being has been in steep decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. This global decline is marked by a deterioration in the ability to regulate thoughts and emotions, as well as difficulties in forming and maintaining positive relationships.
The report, which analyzed over one million responses from internet-enabled populations in 76 countries across all continents, presents a concerning reality: mental health among 18- to 34-year-olds in Western nations has dropped sharply since 2019, with no signs of recovery.
In contrast, the decline is far less pronounced in several African countries, where mental well-being scores are higher. Tanzania ranks first in Africa and globally for youth mental well-being, while young adults in Nigeria and Kenya also score relatively well. Their Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) scores fall above 60 and within the 50-60 range, respectively—indicating better mental health outcomes than many Western nations. However, the figures for African youth remain below the average for older adults worldwide. South Africa is the only surveyed African country aligned more closely with Western nations, with South African youth scoring between 30-40 MHQ—low, but still higher than poorly performing countries such as the UK, Ukraine, and New Zealand.
Unlike traditional happiness or anxiety/depression indices, this report does not measure happiness alone. Instead, it utilizes the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ), which assesses emotional, social, and cognitive functions. The findings indicate that while older adults are generally thriving, nearly half of young adults experience functionally debilitating struggles. This decline is not just about diminished happiness—a minor component of mind health—but about core mental functions essential for navigating life’s challenges and maintaining productivity.
The worsening mental well-being among youth has been linked to multiple interconnected factors, including weaker social connections, early exposure to smartphones, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, and greater exposure to environmental toxins. Younger generations report having fewer close friendships, spending more time online, and consuming diets that contribute to emotional instability and cognitive challenges. These combined pressures have fueled a global crisis that continues to deepen.
Africa’s Mental Health Advantage—and the Risks Ahead
Tara Thiagarajan, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Scientist at Sapien Labs, commented: “Africa holds a unique advantage in youth mental health—an asset that must be actively protected as the continent undergoes rapid technological and economic shifts. With Africa’s youthful population poised to play a key role in the global economy in the coming decades, governments must take proactive steps to ensure that urbanization, digital adoption, and evolving lifestyles do not erode the mental resilience that is currently setting African youth apart from the rest of the world.”
The report also highlights a stark generational divide. Older populations across the globe have an average MHQ of 100, with some countries—particularly in Africa, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Israel, and the UAE—scoring over 110. Nigeria ranked particularly high, exceeding 110, while Kenya fell in the 100-110 range.
By contrast, the average MHQ for internet-enabled adults under 35 ranges from 5 to 71 across 79 countries, with a global average of just 38—more than 60 points lower than those aged 55 and above. Alarmingly, 41% of adults under 35 are classified as distressed or struggling, experiencing at least five clinical-level symptoms of mental distress that significantly impair daily functioning. Across all surveyed countries, younger adults consistently exhibit diminished mind health relative to older generations. Only 15 out of 79 countries recorded an average MHQ above 50 for youth, and just one country—Tanzania—exceeded 65, a threshold equivalent to the lowest scores among those aged 55+.
The Role of Social Structures in Mental Well-being
Findings from the report suggest that stronger community and family ties, later exposure to smartphones, and more face-to-face social interactions contribute to better mental well-being. These protective factors, which help build emotional resilience, have been declining in high-income nations over the past decade, where digital connectivity and individualism have largely replaced traditional social structures.
However, as Africa urbanizes and embraces more technology, researchers warn that these benefits could fade if not actively protected. Without intervention, the continent could see a similar decline in youth mental well-being in the coming years.
Dr. Thiagarajan further emphasized:
“The report highlights a widening generational gap in mental health worldwide. While older adults (55+) continue to thrive, younger adults face unprecedented levels of distress. As the older generation exits the workforce, we risk being left with a new workforce struggling to cope with daily life pressures. This could lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, reduced cooperation, heightened anxiety, and potentially more violence in daily interactions.”
“For Africa, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. By learning from global trends and taking early action, African nations can preserve the mental resilience of their young people. Governments must address childhood exposure to smartphones, ultra-processed diets, and environmental toxins while reinforcing the strong social and cultural bonds that have helped protect young Africans. By doing so, the continent can ensure its youth develop the resilience needed to reach their full potential.”
The full Mental State of the World 2024 report is available at [insert link].
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ABOUT SAPIEN LABS
Founded in 2016, Sapien Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to understanding and enhancing the human mind. Through large-scale, real-time global data collection, Sapien Labs examines the impact of modern life on brain and mental health. Its research provides valuable insights and tools for schools, organizations, and governments, shaping policies and interventions that promote mental well-being worldwide.
Website: https://sapienlabs.org
ABOUT THE MENTAL STATE OF THE WORLD 2024
The Mental State of the World Report is an annual publication by Sapien Labs’ Global Mind Project, analyzing mental well-being among internet-enabled populations worldwide. Each edition tracks mental health trends, compares them to previous years, and identifies key influencing factors.
Throughout the year, additional Rapid Reports provide deeper insights into specific aspects of mental well-being.
As the world’s largest and most comprehensive ongoing global survey of mental health, the Global Mind Project uses the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) to collect data across diverse populations. This initiative tracks mental well-being alongside sociocultural, lifestyle, and technological factors in multiple countries, offering a data-driven understanding of dominant trends and their underlying causes.
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