India’s youth ranks 60th in 84-nation survey in mental well-being: Global Mind Health Report 2025

India’s young adults rank 60th globally in mental well-being, with an MHQ score of 33. Experts warn of long-term economic impact. (Photo: Pexels)

• Young Indians aged 18–34 rank low globally in mental well-being
• Generational gap in mental health is widening in India
• Modern lifestyle, tech use, and weak family ties worsen youth MHQ

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India’s youngest workforce is grappling with a sharp decline in mental well-being, according to the Global Mind Health 2025 report by US-based non-profit Sapien Labs. The findings suggest this is not just a temporary post-pandemic effect, but a deeper, long-term generational shift.

Among 84 countries surveyed, Indians aged 18–34 ranked 60th in mental health and well-being, with an average Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) score of 33. In contrast, adults aged 55 and above recorded a substantially higher MHQ score of 96, placing them 49th globally and closer to what researchers classify as functional mental health norms.

The findings are based on responses from more than 78,000 internet-enabled and literate participants in India, and form part of the broader Global Mind Project, which has surveyed over one million people worldwide.

A Growing Generational Gap

The nearly threefold gap between younger and older Indians points to what researchers describe as a downward shift in the mental health “baseline” of younger generations.

Importantly, this decline is not limited to rising anxiety or depression diagnoses. Instead, it reflects a broader weakening in core mental capacities, including emotional regulation, attention span, stress recovery, and relationship stability. These functions are foundational to productivity, resilience, and social cohesion.

Also Read: Are young people the unhappiest now? Study finds change in wellness pattern

Tara Thiagarajan, Founder and Chief Scientist at Sapien Labs, noted that similar patterns are emerging globally. She said, “What we are seeing is a decline in core mental functioning among younger adults — the ability to regulate emotions, maintain focus, build stable relationships and recover from stress. This represents a fundamental shift in how younger generations navigate life.”

Why This Matters for the Economy

The report underlines a direct link between MHQ scores and productivity — when mental well-being drops, productivity tends to fall as well. A sustained decline among young adults, who form the backbone of the labour force, could therefore have long-term economic consequences.

Another indicator in the study, called “Social Self” — which measures relationship stability and social functioning — is strongly linked to lower violent crime rates. The report notes that this metric is falling most sharply among younger groups, raising concerns about wider social implications if the trend continues.

What's Behind the Drop?

Experts found several modern lifestyle factors that affect younger generations more:

Early smartphone use

India ranks 71st worldwide in age when kids first own smartphones. On average Indian youth get their first smartphone at 16.5 years, with younger groups getting access even sooner. Prolonged digital exposure has been associated with weaker social and emotional development.

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods in India

Almost half (44%) of consumers aged 18–34 in India report often eating ultra-processed foods like packaged snacks, sweetened beverages, and ready-to-eat meals. In comparison, only 11% of consumers aged 55 and older report doing so. Research reveals that ultra-processed foods negatively affect cognitive ability and emotional well-being.

Weakened Family Ties

India sits at 28th position in terms of family relations reported — usually a strong protective factor for mental well-being. But higher generation gaps have been reported. 78% of older adults report feeling close to family members as compared to 64% for young adults. However, generational differences are widening. Only 64 percent of young adults report feeling close to their families, compared to 78 percent of older adults.

Troubles with Key Life Abilities

The research also points out problems young people face to keep jobs, build relationships, and handle stress — areas that rely a lot on managing emotions and adapting to change.

A Worldwide Trend — Not Just in India

The age gap in mental health isn't only seen in India. Research has shown that young adults in affluent countries like Japan, the UK, and Taiwan report the lowest level of emotional well-being compared to young adults in less developed regions including Sub Saharan Africa.

Also Read: Mental health struggles now hit young people hardest, says study

This suggests that modern lifestyle features such as widespread technology use, consumption of ultra-processed foods, reduced face-to-face communication, and increased use of screens do not align with the conditions necessary for the development of healthy emotional and cognitive skills.

End of Old Safety Nets

Older Indians demonstrate strong mental toughness, which can be attributed to the community, family, and religious ties.But these old ways of coping seem to be losing their power for younger people.

The study wraps up by saying that to boost young people's mental health, we need more than quick campaigns to raise awareness. To turn around what experts call a big change in mental health between generations, we might need to tackle deeper issues in how people live and what's around them.