New Delhi: Young adults in India have ranked 60th out of 84 countries in key measures of mental well-being, according to the 2025 edition of a global mental health survey. The findings indicate that Indians aged 18–34 are faring significantly worse than their peers in many other parts of the world.
The report, titled Global Mind Health in 2025 and released by US-based Sapien Labs, surveyed more than 78,000 internet-enabled individuals in India. It points to not only a serious mental health challenge among young adults but also a stark generational gap, with older Indians reporting far better mental well-being.
Young adults (18–34 years) in India recorded a Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) score of 33. In contrast, those aged 55 and above scored 96 — a level considered consistent with normal mental functioning — placing them 49th among the 84 countries assessed.
Researchers described the contrast as evidence of a “structural, multi-year generational shift” in mental health, suggesting it goes beyond temporary disruptions such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist at Sapien Labs, said the findings reflect a sharp decline in mental well-being among younger generations.
“The scores reflect a very steep decline in younger generations — steeper than in many other countries globally. While those aged 55+ are doing fine, younger adults are seriously struggling,” she said.
She attributed the decline to factors outlined in the study, as well as broader concerns such as rising environmental toxicity — including air, water and food quality — and reduced physical activity.
The study suggests the crisis extends beyond common conditions like anxiety and depression. Instead, it signals a broader erosion of core mental capacities, including emotional regulation, focus, relationship-building and resilience to stress.
Drawing on data from previous years, researchers identified four major drivers of mental health outcomes: family bonds, spirituality, consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), and early exposure to smartphones.
In India, 64% of respondents aged 18–34 reported being close to their families, compared to 78% among those over 55. Regular consumption of ultra-processed foods was reported by 44% of young adults, significantly higher than the 11% recorded among older participants.
The average age at which Indians received their first smartphone was 16.5 years. The study notes that this age is expected to be even lower for Gen Alpha, with earlier exposure linked to greater mental health risks.
Globally, the report found that young adults in economically developed nations tend to struggle more with mental health than those in less developed countries.
Among the lowest-ranked were Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and China. In contrast, relatively stronger mind health scores were reported in sub-Saharan African nations such as Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Tanzania.
Finland — which frequently tops global happiness rankings — ranked 28th in mind health for those aged 55+ and 40th for those aged 18–34. The report noted that life satisfaction, as measured by happiness indices, does not necessarily equate to the mental capacity required to manage life’s challenges.
The Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) aggregates responses across 47 cognitive, emotional, social and physical dimensions that influence a person’s ability to function effectively. According to Sapien Labs, the scale reflects an individual’s fundamental mental capacity rather than just the presence or absence of specific disorders.
