15 Unhappiest, Most Depressing and Saddest Countries in the World

We can’t avoid the fact that the unhappiest, most depressing and saddest countries in the world are a real thing and there are a lot of factors contributing to this unfortunate state.

Depression is something that no one can ignore, but most people are afraid to get help. It is a severe medical illness that may lead to suicide. Depression is common, and fortunately, it is treatable. It is a mix of emotional and physical problems that lower the ability of a person to function in their normal lives. Even people as young as teens can suffer from it especially when experiencing trauma or bullying. From sadness to weight loss or gain, to socialization and sleep, many things are influenced by depression. An evaluation with a health professional should be done before a diagnosis or treatment, to make sure that the depression is not due to other medical conditions. The health professional will evaluate factors like family history, culture, and environment to finalize a diagnosis. Various depression treatment includes medication, Psychotherapy, and Electroconvulsive Therapy or ECT. Antidepressants are prescribed in medication, while Psychotherapy is a talk therapy which is used for mild depression. For moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy, along with antidepressants, is necessary. ECT is when the patient is non-responsive to other treatments and for patients with severe major depression.

It is unavoidable to feel sad knowing that there are countries where a number of people are not so happy, and there is a high rate of depression. On the other hand, there are also the happiest countries where among the factors that are evaluated are life expectancy and GDP per capita to mention. As far as the happiest countries in the world peaking at the number 1 spot is Norway, followed by Denmark. Norway and Denmark which have the highest evaluated rate regarding a healthy balance prosperity and social trust, which is a big reason as to why Norway is the happiest country in the world. The Central African Republic is at the bottom of the list which we can consider as the saddest country in the world. However, in 2015, the country was on the last spot of the 11 Saddest Countries in the World. There are the extremely depressed countries and the least depressed countries in the world. A kind action can help save a friend against depression. Even a small one can go a long way.

On this list, don’t be surprised to if you find some of the top 25 richest, healthiest, and most advanced countries in the world. As we know, money doesn’t buy happiness. Some nations on our list are successful in some factors, yet they have the highest counts of depression. We got the countries on this list, from the WHO World Health Estimates on Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders. Obviously, we took those with the most significant number of estimated people affected by depression, since being depressed is also a feeling of sadness and their rank on the World Happiness Report 2017. The unique ranking of averaging these results, we applied to our list is sourced from these studies.

Let’s take a look at the 15 unhappiest, most depressing and saddest countries in the world.

15. United States

The depression cases in the United States is approximately 17.5 million, besting other regions of America. It is among the top happiest countries, yet the people don’t feel so. A person as young as 18 or even younger can suffer from depression, and this is quite common. Around 44,200 Americans die of suicide each year with an average of 121 suicides per day.

14. Brazil

Brazil ranks 14th on our list of unhappiest, most depressing and saddest countries in the world, and it comes in second of the United States with 11.5 million depression cases. Much of it is due to the effects of violence and social inequality across the country. The government wants their Psychosocial Community Centers to be utilized. However, other areas lack the said center, and many people can’t access or enjoy this kind of benefit.

13. Germany

Germany is among the top 20 happiest countries, yet it is also among the countries with high depression cases with more than 4.1 million cases. Antidepressants are on the rise in this country. However, it is a type of medication that needs a prescription, and even though it is known as safe, there are still possibilities of side effects.

12. Mexico

Most people in Mexico (as well as many other places) do not seek help when it comes to depression. They do not consider it as an illness. Depression is causing the country trouble as it contributes to the rise of violence, inequality, and poverty. There is also an increase in mortality that is associated with mental health disorders.

11. Japan

Overworking in Japan is a norm and employees passed out on the road is a common sight. The term for it is Karoshi. Most of the overworked employees find comfort in drinking with other colleagues, and it is a situation leading to self-neglect which is much worse than clinical depression.

10. China

College Students are already showing signs of depression in China, the number 10 0n our list of unhappiest, most depressing and saddest countries in the world. Kids as young as primary and middle school age are already suffering from various mental illnesses. China’s depression case is approximately 54.8 million. The suicide cases are possibly connected with the depression people are going through, but researchers do not directly point to this as the reason.

9. Pakistan

On the ninth spot of our list of 15 unhappiest, most depressing and saddest countries in the world is Pakistan. Depression is more significant in the urban areas compared to rural districts in the country. The specialists are eyeing the environmental and genetic factors to determine the main causes. Physical or emotional abuse is also linked to the said mental illness.

8. Indonesia

Depression and anxiety occur as early as age 15 in Indonesia. The country falls into the category of least happy nations as well, which is no surprise since young teens are experiencing depression. While depression is rising around the globe, it is also increasing in Indonesia, and even children have the mental illness.

7. Philippines

With the use of social media, a person can freely express themselves. However, it is one of the causes of the rise of depression in the Philippines. Online bashing and bullying are rampant, making the account owners doubt themselves and fall into depression. The public calling the mental health crisis hotline is rising.

6. Nigeria

Around 7.1 million people in Nigeria suffer from depression. Psychiatrists and other physicians are worrying about the rise in the number of suicides as well. Nigeria is in the top ten of the African countries with a high rate of suicide. A campaign for help in detecting depression before a suicide attempt is being called for in Nigeria.

5. Vietnam

Around 5,000 Vietnamese commit suicide, each year and the primary cause is depression. The Deputy Health Minister in Vietnam agrees that it is a serious health problem, not only in the country but worldwide. Activities and programs are now being implemented to deal with this issue.

4. Bangladesh

Poverty and unemployment are major causes of depression in Bangladesh, the next one on our list of unhappiest, most depressing and saddest countries in the world. Other factors are unfortunate life events like the death of a loved one or a relationship issues. Alcohol and drug use is rampant in the country, and these things are also linked to depression.

3. Iran

Migration and changing lifestyle are among the culprits causing depression with the people of Iran. Most of the adults have anxiety as well. The depression case in the country is around 3.6 million. There are extensive measures that have yet to be taken to control the mental disorder illness in Iran.

2. India

Approximately 56.7 million is the number of depression cases in India. Depression along with anxiety is more common in women than in men. The actions to combat mental illnesses are underway, while the promotion of access to mental health care and additional human resources, as well as funds, are being taken into consideration.

1. Ethiopia

To top our list of 15 unhappiest, most depressing and saddest countries in the world we have Ethiopia. The government is pushing a strategy to fight against mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. The actions taken to do so, are increasing the budget and improving the services to those people who need it.