Anxiety Statistics in 2025 and What They Mean for You

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried—it’s a deep sense of fear, unease, and dread that can grip your body and mind. It can cause physical symptoms like sweating, restlessness, and a racing heart. While anxiety can be a natural response to life’s pressures, for many, it turns into something much more debilitating.

Anxiety disorders don’t just come and go; they often grow worse over time!

In the U.S. alone, millions of adults struggle with anxiety disorders, and for those dealing with panic attacks, the fear can be overwhelming and constant, making even simple tasks feel impossible. And it’s not just adults—children are increasingly affected too, with more young people being diagnosed each year.

During 2020, as the world faced unprecedented challenges, anxiety levels surged. In just nine months, the number of people seeking help for anxiety jumped by 93% compared to the previous year. The uncertainty and rapid changes we’ve experienced have made it harder for many to cope. But knowing these statistics and understanding how anxiety affects different groups—whether by age, gender, or background—helps us stay alert to the signs. It’s important to recognize the symptoms in ourselves and others so we can offer support when it’s needed most.

Global Stress, Depression, Anxiety by Age groups

facts about generalized anxiety disorder

66% of individuals aged 18-24 reported stress, 27% reported depression, and 12% reported anxiety. Technology has had a bigger negative effect on the well-being of young people compared to other age groups. Young people often see filtered, idealized versions of others’ lives online, creating unrealistic standards of perfection which can lead to feelings of inadequacy, as they compare themselves to these impossible ideals. (1)
64% of individuals aged 25-34 reported stress, 24% reported depression, and 10% reported anxiety. (1)
57% of individuals aged 35-44 reported stress, 20% reported depression, and 8% reported anxiety. (1)

Global Mental Health Disorders 2021

In 2021, an estimated 4.4% of the global population experienced an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are hard to manage and can persist for a long time if not treated. They disrupt daily life, making it difficult to function at work, school, or in social and family relationships. (2)

US Anxiety Statistics

The 2024 American Psychiatric Association’s annual mental health poll reveals that anxiety levels among U.S. adults are rising. In 2024, 43% of adults reported feeling more anxious than they did the year before, compared to 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022, showing a steady increase in anxiety over the past few years. (3)

68% of people expressed anxiety about keeping themselves or their families safe from harm. (3)
63% of adults reported feeling anxious about protecting their identity from theft or fraud. (3)
57% of individuals reported being worried about the effects of climate change on the environment. (3)

33% of adults have been diagnosed with depression or other mood disorders, including major depressive disorder. Major depressive disorder is a more serious form of depression. Its symptoms can include overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, rejection, difficulty concentrating, low energy, sleep disturbances, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts. (4)
12% of individuals have been diagnosed with trauma and stressor-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. People with depression who also have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often face more intense psychiatric symptoms, making their condition harder to treat. (4)
1% of adults have been diagnosed with psychosis, such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Psychosis is a condition where a person loses touch with reality. They may hold false beliefs or see and hear things that aren’t actually there. (4)
2% of individuals have personality disorders, including antisocial, paranoid, or schizoid personality disorder. A person with a personality disorder experiences, thinks, feels, and interacts with others in ways that are very different from the typical person, often causing challenges in their relationships and daily life. (4)

U.S. Adults’ Mental Health 2022

Over a third of adults (36%) report being diagnosed with a mental health condition like depression or anxiety by a doctor or health professional, and one in five (21%) say they have used mental health services in the past year. (5)

A 2022 survey revealed that approximately 52% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 frequently felt anxious in the past 12 months. A staggering number of the public believes that the U.S. is currently facing a mental health crisis. (5)

U.S. Anxiety Rates by Age, LGBT

Almost 60.8% of LGBT respondents aged 18 to 29 reported experiencing anxiety symptoms. Across all age groups, LGBT adults consistently report higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to non-LGBT adults. (6)

1. LGBTQ Youth Anxiety Rates by Sexual Orientation

In 2023, approximately 46% of gay youth aged 13 to 24 in the U.S. reported experiencing depression, compared to 52% of lesbian youth. (7)
65% of bisexual youth experienced anxiety, with 51% reporting symptoms of depression. (7)
70% of queer youth experienced anxiety, while 55% reported symptoms of depression. (7)
66% of asexual youth reported experiencing anxiety symptoms, with 52% experiencing depression. (7)
65% of questioning youth reported anxiety symptoms, while 59% experienced symptoms of depression. (7)

2. LGBTQ Youth Anxiety by Gender Identity

In 2023, approximately 61% of U.S. transgender men reported experiencing depression, compared to 39% of cisgender men. (7)
67% of transgender women experienced anxiety, and 57% reported symptoms of depression. (7)
72% of nonbinary/genderqueer youth reported anxiety and 57% experienced symptoms of depression. (7)

U.S. Veterans’ Anxiety Severity 2022

Nearly three out of four veterans (74%) reported struggling with depression, and around half (55%) showed signs of moderate to severe depressive symptoms during the survey. (8)
23% of U.S. veterans and service members reported no or minimal anxiety symptoms as of 2022. (8)
30.3% of veterans and service members reported experiencing mild anxiety symptoms in the Wounded Warrior Project. (8)

U.S. Children’s Anxiety Rates 2016–2019

The 2016–2019 NSCH survey results revealed that 9.4% of children and adolescents aged 3–17 had been diagnosed with anxiety at some point, while 7.8% were dealing with anxiety at the time of the survey. (9)

1. U.S. Youth Anxiety by Gender

Between 2016 and 2019, approximately 8% of female children and adolescents in the U.S. reported experiencing current anxiety problems. (9)
7.5% of male children and adolescents in the U.S. reported having current anxiety problems from 2016 to 2019. (9)

2. U.S. Youth Anxiety by Age

2% of children aged 3 to 5 years in the U.S. have ever experienced anxiety problems. (9)
1.6% of children aged 3 to 5 years reported having current anxiety problems from 2016 to 2019. (9)
8.6% of children aged 6 to 11 years have ever had anxiety problems during the same period. (9)
7.1% of children aged 6 to 11 years reported current anxiety problems from 2016 to 2019. (9)

3. U.S. Youth Anxiety by Race

6.4% of Black non-Hispanic children have ever had anxiety problems, while 5.3% reported current anxiety. (9)
11.4% of White non-Hispanic children have ever had anxiety problems, with 9.7% reporting current anxiety. (9)
3% of Asian non-Hispanic children have ever had anxiety problems, and 2.2% reported current anxiety. (9)

4. U.S. Youth Anxiety by Income

9.7% of U.S. children and adolescents from households at or below 100% FPL (Federal Poverty Level) have experienced anxiety problems. (9)
8% of children and adolescents from households at or below 100% FPL currently report anxiety problems. (9)
A connection was identified between household poverty levels and the prevalence of depression in children. Those from higher-income households (above 200% of the federal poverty level) showed a bit lower rates of depression. (9)

U.S. Suicide Deaths by Gender

In 2021, approximately 72% of females in the U.S. who died by suicide had a current mental health diagnosis at the time of death. According to this CDC survey, girls showed higher rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts compared to boys. (9)
29.5% of females and 23.4% of males had an anxiety disorder. (9)
17.4% of females and 12.8% of males had bipolar disorder. (9)
7.6% of females and 6.9% of males had schizophrenia. (9)

Top U.S. Mental Illness Searches

Between April 2019 and February 2023, anxiety and depression were the most searched mental illness symptoms in the U.S., with over 256.5 thousand and 233.5 thousand average monthly searches, respectively. Searches for social anxiety have skyrocketed by 2,000% over the past four years, reflecting a growing concern about mental health issues. (10)

U.S. Tobacco Use by Anxiety

A survey of U.S. adults in 2020 found that nearly 30% of those experiencing regular anxiety used a tobacco product. Nicotine provides a quick sense of relaxation, leading people to believe it eases stress and anxiety. However, this relief is short-lived and quickly followed by withdrawal symptoms and stronger cravings. (11)
In contrast, approximately 18% of individuals without regular anxiety reported using tobacco products. (11)

Anxiety Treatments by Country Income

Methods used to address anxiety or depression

67% of people in low-/lower-middle-income countries spent time in nature/outdoors, compared to 72% in upper-middle-income countries and 78% in high-income countries. (12)
62% of individuals in low-/lower-middle-income countries made changes to personal relationships, while 65% in upper-middle-income and 58% in high-income countries did the same. (12)
People in low-income countries are more likely to turn to religious or spiritual practices for support, while those in high-income countries tend to opt for medication and speaking with a mental health professional. (12)

Top Countries by 2023 Stress

Surveys conducted in 2023 across 142 countries revealed that Northern Cyprus, Israel, and Nigeria had the highest likelihood of people reporting stress experienced the previous day. (13)
In Israel, approximately 62% of respondents reported feeling stressed the day before the survey. (13)

Final Thought

Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, are among the most common mental disorders affecting people across all age groups. According to the World Health Organization, the most common anxiety disorder is one of the leading causes of mental health issues worldwide, impacting both physical health and overall well-being. Younger people, in particular, often feel anxious about everyday situations, while older adults may struggle with more chronic forms of anxiety, such as social phobia and other specific phobias.

Unfortunately, many still face barriers to receiving treatment, even though methods like talk therapy and relaxation techniques have proven effective in managing symptoms of anxiety disorder. The National Institute for Mental Health continues to emphasize the importance of early intervention and support, as untreated anxiety disorder can lead to more severe conditions like substance abuse or depression.

As society becomes more aware of the impact of mental disorders, it’s crucial to destigmatize seeking help and support. Whether through therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes, receiving proper treatment can transform lives, helping individuals regain control over their mental health. For those experiencing panic attacks, social anxiety disorder, or symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, it’s essential to remember that help is available, and recovery is possible.

With the right care, people can learn to manage their anxiety, improve their physical health, and find peace in everyday situations. By addressing mental health openly and compassionately, we can create a world where anxiety is no longer a barrier to living a fulfilling life.