Researchers surveyed almost 50,000 people across 92 countries and concluded that overall mental‑well‑being is slipping, with young adults reporting the steepest declines in emotional stability, energy and resilience.

The study, published in the journal Social Indicators Research, identified younger respondents as the primary drivers of the drop in global mental‑health scores.

Participants evaluated a range of well‑being dimensions, including confidence, optimism, self‑esteem, happiness, relationships and purpose, alongside common conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety.

Financial security and employment emerged as strong correlates of better mental health, with those holding jobs and higher incomes reporting higher well‑being than the unemployed or lower‑earning respondents.

Higher education levels were also linked to improved mental health, while people living alone tended to score lower than those in larger households, suggesting social connections bolster resilience.

Hybrid work arrangements—splitting time between home and office—were associated with better well‑being compared with fully remote work.

The researchers warned that the decline is already affecting lives, urging governments to move beyond vague promises and adopt concrete actions to protect livelihoods, reduce workplace burnout and improve access to mental‑health services.

They cautioned against ranking countries based on the data, noting cultural differences and the online nature of the survey may influence responses.