YOUNG people in Tanzania and across sub-Saharan Africa are leading the world in mind health, even as a new global report warns of a deepening crisis among youth worldwide.

The Global Mind Health Report 2025, released yesterday by Sapien Labs, reveals that 41 percent of internet-enabled young adults aged 18–34 globally are facing what researchers describe as a “mind health crisis.” The findings are based on survey data collected from nearly one million respondents across 84 countries.

Despite the troubling global picture, African nations dominate the top rankings for youth mind health. Ghana ranks first worldwide, followed by Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania — making the top five entirely African.

Tanzania, which held the top position last year, now ranks fifth but remains a standout performer. The country records an average Mind Health rdQuotient (MHQ) score of 62 among young adults aged 18–34, compared to 108 among those aged 55 and above.

Notably, Tanzania leads the world in measures of spirituality and reports one of the oldest average ages for first smartphone adoption during childhood.

The report underscores a dramatic reversal over the past two decades. In the early 2000s, young adults were considered the age group with the highest overall well-being.

Today, they are four times more likely than those over 55 to experience clinically significant mental health challenges that impair daily functioning. 

“The mind health crisis appears to be a progressive slide from generation to generation and goes far beyond rising rates of depression and anxiety,” said Dr. Tiaara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist of Sapien Labs. She noted that many young adults now struggle with emotional regulation, focus, and maintaining relationships in addition to mood disorders.

Earlier research indicates the generational gap began widening before 2020 and expanded sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. While older adults experienced only modest declines, youth mind health fell steeply — a disparity that has persisted over the past five years.

Researchers point to several protective factors behind Africa’s strong performance: later adoption of smartphones during childhood, lower consumption of ultra-processed foods, stronger family bonds, and higher levels of spirituality.

Among 18–34-year-olds globally, individuals who reported strong spirituality — defined as a sense of connection to a higher power — scored 20 points or more higher on the MHQ scale than those with low spirituality rnatings. Tanzania ranks highest worldwide in this measure.

Family relationships also play a decisive role. Respondents reporting weak family ties were nearly four times more likely to fall into distressed or struggling mind health categories compared to those with close family connections.

In contrast, higher-income countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Finland and India rank near the bottom for youth outcomes.

The United Kingdom, for example, places 81st out of 84 countries, with an average MHQ score of just 20 among young adults. Researchers link poorer outcomes in wealthier nations to early smartphone exposure and high consumption of ultra-processed foods.

The report raises concerns about long-term economic productivity. With nearly half of the world’s young workforce experiencing significant mental health struggles, experts warn of ripple effects across economies and societies.

“In the U.S., spending on mental health research and care has risen dramatically, but it’s not moving the needle,” Dr. Thiagarajan said, calling for policy interventions that address root causes rather than symptoms.

Proposed measures include limiting smartphone access during school hours, setting minimum age requirements for social media use, and strengthening regulation of ultra-processed foods.

Ultra-processed foods alone are estimated to contribute between 15 and 30 percent of the global mental health burden among young adults.

For Tanzania, the findings offer both recognition and a call to action. While the country’s youth rank among the most resilient globally, the generational gap remains evident, with older adults maintaining significantly stronger mind health scores.