Statistics on mental health in Sweden

Mental wellbeing 

Almost nine out of ten people in Sweden report a good och very good mental wellbeing, with this proportion being highest among the 65–84 age group. Some common signs of mental wellbeing are having a positive outlook on the future, feeling calm, being able to think clearly, and dealing with problems in a healthy way.

Mental health problems

While most people state that their mental health is good, many others report sometimes experiencing mental health problems such as worry, anxiety, stress, and difficulty sleeping. For the majority, these problems are mild.

Every four years, children in Sweden aged 11, 13 and 15 fill out a survey about their mental health (the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey). Since the mid-1980s, survey reports of mental and physical health problems have increased — particularly among girls aged 13 and 15. The past 20 years have also seen an increase in older age groups’ (16 – 84 years old) reports of mental health problems, especially worry, anxiety and stress. In terms of occupation, more students and unemployed people state that they are experiencing mental health problems than those who are working.

Nervousness, worry and anxiety

Over 40 per cent of the population state that they have problems with feelings of nervousness, worry and anxiety. For most, these problems are mild.

Nervousness, worry and anxiety are more common among younger people than older people. More than half of those in the youngest age group state having experienced mild or severe problems, while one in three older people (adults) have experienced them.

These problems are also more common among women than men. One in two women and one in three men have experienced mild or severe problems relating to Nervousness, worry or anxiety. Again, younger people are more likely to report having these problems than older people — women aged 16 to 29 form the group most likely to experience nervousness, anxiety and worry. 50 per cent report milder problems and 23 per cent report severe problems.

Over the past decade, self-reports of nervousness, anxiety or worry have increased among the Swedish population overall, from 31 per cent in 2011 to 43 per cent in 2021. For the great majority, the problems are mild. However, seven per cent report experiencing more severe symptoms.  More women than men report experiencing worry and anxiety throughout the age groups, and these problems are most common among young women (aged 16 to 29). Severe worry or anxiety was reported by 23 per cent of the young women in 2021. The corresponding figure for 2011 was nine per cent. A similar increase can be seen among young men, however from five per cent in 2011 to nine per cent in 2021.

Difficulty sleeping

Approximately 40 per cent of the population state that they have difficulty sleeping. Older people are more likely to have problems sleeping than younger people, and sleep issues appear to increase during a person’s 40s or 50s. Difficulty sleeping is also generally more common among women than men. Approximately half of the women in the age group 45–64 report experiencing mild or severe problems sleeping.

Loneliness and isolation

Approximately one in four people over age 16 state that they struggle with loneliness and isolation. Most experience mild problems, though for some the problems are more severe. There are differences between age groups. Loneliness and isolation are most common among young adults and those aged over 85. 

Depression

Depression is one of the most diagnosed mental illnesses among adults. Nearly one in five people in Sweden report having been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives. Depression is twice as common among women as it is among men.

Stress

Around one in six people in Sweden feel stressed. Statistics show that women and young people (16 – 29 years) are the most likely to experience stress, as are students, and people who are unemployed or on long-term sick leave. Stress-related illnesses have increased globally since the 1990s and stress is now one of the most common causes of long-term sick leave. Around 40 per cent of all cases of sick leave are due to stress-related illness.