Uzbekistan’s mental health index falls below global average

Uzbekistan ranked 74th out of 83 countries in the global mental health and well-being index, according to an international study, Mental State of the World.

Among Central Asian countries, the overall mental health situation remains challenging. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan achieved the best result in the region. The rankings of neighboring countries are as follows:

• Kazakhstan – 76th place
• Kyrgyzstan – 79th place
• Tajikistan – 80th place

Globally, the average mental health index score is 63 points, indicating that, on average, people feel stable and active for about 21 days each month. However, Central Asian countries lag significantly behind this benchmark. Uzbekistan scored 54.5 points, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan each scored 51.2 points, while Kazakhstan’s 52.3 points are comparable to those of Brazil, South Africa, and even Afghanistan.

The countries with the highest mental health levels include:

• Dominican Republic – 89 points
• Tanzania – 85.2 points
• Panama – 84.4 points

Additionally, despite ongoing conflict, Ukraine (70th place, 55.6 points), Russia (24th place, 73.8 points), and Israel (4th place, 84.2 points) showed positive mental health results.

Experts believe that a combination of several factors contributes to the deterioration of mental health: anxiety, depression, fatigue, loneliness, and unresolved internal issues. Currently, approximately one in eight people worldwide – close to 1 billion of the 8 billion global population – suffers from mental illness. Adolescents are considered the most vulnerable group, as half of all mental health issues begin before the age of 14.