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India, among most depressed nations in the world: WHO Report

Published: July 26, 2011

Wealthier nations are more depressed than those in relatively poorer ones.

A WHO research has revealed that people living in wealthier nations are more depressed than those in relatively poorer ones.

According to research cited by The Independent, India was recorded to be among the nations with the highest rate of depression in the world at 36% making it an exception to the rule. The booming democracy is going through an unprecedented socio-economic change, which often become the reason for depression.

In France, the Netherlands and America, more than 30% of people suffered from a “major depressive mode” which was far higher than China’s figure of 12%.

The WHO found that  one in seven people in rich countries is likely to get depression over their lifetime which is equivalent to 15%, while one in nine (11%) in middle and low income countries is likely to go through the blues over their lifetime.

The global study also showed that women are twice as likely to suffer from the blues compared to men.

The findings were published in BMC (BioMed Central) Medicine, a medical journal.

Reader Comments (65)

  • Rock
    Jul 26, 2011 - 7:04PM

    “The booming democracy is going through an unprecedented socio-economic change, which often become the reason for depression.” Medical firms are working hard to sell antidepressing drugs in booming economy. Good marketing technique.Recommend

  • Roflcopter
    Jul 26, 2011 - 7:47PM

    I feel sorry for Indians

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  • Jul 26, 2011 - 8:38PM

    So where do we stand?

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  • Paras Vikmani
    Jul 26, 2011 - 8:49PM

    Why information on only five countries?

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  • pardesi
    Jul 26, 2011 - 9:12PM

    so pakistan is the happiest nation???

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  • Ridic
    Jul 26, 2011 - 9:15PM

    where are all the indian trolls now?

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  • CB Guy
    Jul 26, 2011 - 9:24PM

    the true arrival of Capitalism. Unfortunately, it does bring menaces such as depression along with it. The fact that marriage counseling is a booming industry in India does give a good picture of the affects of this rapid economic growth.Recommend

  • Khan
    Jul 26, 2011 - 9:48PM

    @Antebellum:
    We are not depressed. We’ve gone insane!

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  • proudpaki
    Jul 26, 2011 - 11:15PM

    yuuuhuuuuu….. Dear Indian trolls…. we’re missing you here :p

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  • Aadersh
    Jul 26, 2011 - 11:32PM

    Yeah….India is most depressed nation because of unending problems…my advise to all Indians on ET is that you should suggest solutions for your problems on your news websites instead of criticizing Pakistan here…We Pakistanis r way better than our neighbors in both East n West in countless fields…

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  • Sumbal Yusef
    Jul 26, 2011 - 11:32PM

    You really need to improve on your English writing skills. “Wealthier nations are more depressed than those in relatively poorer ones. ” is this supposed to mean? Ever took a course in grammar or syntax?Recommend

  • LOL
    Jul 26, 2011 - 11:41PM

    LOL @ pakis….
    They seem so happy reading this pure marketing technique.
    Btw I work @ Infy & Im so depressed :(

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  • adam
    Jul 26, 2011 - 11:47PM

    Believe on reports from authentic sources, the comments from layman is goes in the the dust bin. Infact, depression comes with the realization when someone feels homelessness and hopelessness. I hope that people in India will work hard to sooth their nevers, as merely the comments here don’t work, rather it increases episodes of their depression.

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  • Asad
    Jul 26, 2011 - 11:47PM

    No wonder all these indians trolling on ET. They need some place to vent their feelings.

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  • adam
    Jul 26, 2011 - 11:49PM

    @Sumbai Yusef, so you earned money to get depressed, not a good deal dear, come with some other good reasons to get out of depression, why you earning hell.

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  • adam
    Jul 26, 2011 - 11:59PM

    @ LoL and other fellows, do something that turns yours lights on, the author of this report is not a Pakistani, a world authentic source, you believe more than pakistan. But, since this is not about something about Pak you will reject all scientific researches of the world. The outcome of all net totallity is the satification, if you don;t get it means, you were thinking of total desaster in Pak but you were unable to see this, this may be the root cause. I don;t suggest anything like most of Indians do for Pak, I just advise do whatever you want but get rid of this depression, it is not good.

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  • Rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 12:00AM

    India=36%, France, the Netherlands and America=30%, China=12% what about the rest of the world? trick to target Indian market.

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  • sam
    Jul 27, 2011 - 12:04AM

    @pardesi:
    OMG why are u so complexed? this piece of news isnt about pakistan so why draw the comparison? u indians are damn insecure and damn complexed

    @ET whts with the biased filtering out of posts?

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  • sam
    Jul 27, 2011 - 12:11AM

    sighhh neither india nor pakistan will ever progress.. before u wish to respond and refute… pls have a look at all comments above.. we are arguing over who is more/less depressed a nation… WOW how mature….!

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  • Mohd rifaye (india )
    Jul 27, 2011 - 12:25AM

    I am happy that pakistanis are happy once in a year..:)

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  • Roflcopter
    Jul 27, 2011 - 12:32AM

    wow notice the lack of indian comments?

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  • MS - Mariya
    Jul 27, 2011 - 1:47AM

    Ohh well no wonder they come on our sites and spew hate. See no happy or normal individual will take out time to write negative stuff on a regular basis about another person. Glad to know the whole Indian nation is messed up but the best thing is that they don’t know about it!!!Recommend

  • MS - Mariya
    Jul 27, 2011 - 1:50AM

    One piece of advice for Indians ” don’t look at yourself in the mirror…the dark reflection of yours is causing the depression”!!!!

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  • MS - Mariya
    Jul 27, 2011 - 1:56AM

    @pardesi:
    we might not be the happiest nation in the world but thank god we are not low as you guys to spew hate on indian news sites. You are such a sad case to have time to leave negative comments about any person or country.

    A famous quote for you:

    “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”Recommend

  • sam
    Jul 27, 2011 - 2:07AM

    @Mohd rifaye (india ):

    ur lack of intelligence is questionable and so is that of the person who recommended ur post sighh grow up mature.. why always the india pakistan comparisons? do u realise not everything india related is realted to pakistan and vice versa!!! if u wanna draw comparisons which arent required to be drawn pls go read Times of india online people like u with ur negativity arent welcome here!!!!

    @ET in stark contrast to the comments posted mine is actually mature… pls stop filtering them out!

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  • MS - Mariya
    Jul 27, 2011 - 2:34AM

    @Mohd rifaye (india ):
    No we are not happy that you are a depressed nation but happy to know the reason behind you guys being HATERS. See it helps to ignore haters when you know the sad reason behind their negative talk.

    Rather it adds to our misery to have a depressed messed up nation India as a neighbour.

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  • pl/sql
    Jul 27, 2011 - 4:48AM

    Well what d’u expect with the kind of neighbours we have?
    And when did people start trusting numbers coming out of China? LOL! That’s the real joke in this.

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  • Y Khan
    Jul 27, 2011 - 6:50AM

    The Indians have to be depressed thats why they troll on Pakistani newspapers.

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  • vasan
    Jul 27, 2011 - 7:01AM

    I think many people missed the reason. The only reason for Indians to get depressed is Pakistan and its terrorism.

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  • Rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:27AM

    LOL. Why pakistanis are so happy because research is not conducted in their country. The reasearch is conducted in 5 better civil socities France, the Netherlands, America, China and India the reason is medical firms want to target Indian market. One thing is clear some pakistanis don’t read the article properly and don’t understand the meaning of “read between the lines”. :)

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  • Rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:32AM

    @proudpaki: First comment is from an Indian yes I am an Indian read my comment.

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  • Rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:33AM

    @Antebellum: This sort of research in not conducted in your country so nobody knows.

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  • Rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:34AM

    @CB Guy: Capitalism or socialism when the balance is not met you will get problems.

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  • Rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:37AM

    @Aadersh: In india some people are always depress some people are always happy some people are moody just like any other country. If you see positive side 74% of 1.2 billion are still not depress.

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  • Rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:38AM

    @Asad: That was night time so indian troll were sleeping you will get reply in morning :)

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  • Rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:42AM

    @MS – Mariya: Some Indians spew hate, some give advise, some read but don’t post anything, some analyse the different social problems face in neighbouring country but most of the 1.2billion do not visit this site.

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  • Rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:49AM

    @pl/sql: Dear China is not at all open society even single cartoon can land you in jail. I can’t comment on death sentences because the real figure is not publish for outside world.They have progress in terms of economy but not in terms of freedom and social rights. I hope in future chinese society will be much more open.

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  • SKChadha
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:51AM

    ET is antidepressant for us … :>)

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  • satyram
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:56AM

    Most Indians went in depression in last 2-3 years due to stupid and corrupt UPA regime.

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  • Indian
    Jul 27, 2011 - 9:04AM

    I still dont understand why Pakistanis should be happy that we are depressed, be happy that Pakistan is not in the list. As far as the depressed Indians are considered, please read “The Nation” everyday before breakfast and ET after dinner for a week, everything is gonna change :) :)

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  • Ali Pakistani
    Jul 27, 2011 - 10:09AM

    India is a wealthy nation in terms of resources yet has a very skewed wealth distribution, thus majority of the masses are poor (both relatively and absolutely).

    These people wage daily struggles to climb the socio-economic rung (in itself is the end purpose of life) cause there are simply so many people to compete with.

    Bollywood add to their crisis and defines the norms of the society as it pleases, regardless of the ability of the local Indians to deal with all this glamor. We must thank God that Lollywood is not so omnipotent.

    India is an anomaly, a poor nation with highly depressed people. And it gives me consummate pleasure to attack your nation’s individuality; like you attack mine.

    Ali Pakistani.

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  • sanjay
    Jul 27, 2011 - 10:38AM

    I have traveled length and breadths of India on a motorcycle almost 12000 KM, I can bet this data is based on wrong assumption. Perhaps the input is only from elite class of metros like- Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, no international agency shall bother to go deep in rural to collect the data. In fact anti depressants are rarely available in rural pharmaceuticals. And it’s always said that India lives in villages. I’m sure its same with Pakistan.

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  • Wu Bingde
    Jul 27, 2011 - 11:03AM

    Its good that they are depressed. They will work harder to get their country to advance further.In 80′s and 90 s similar reports were for China and look where we are now. Socio economic fluctuations always lead to progress.

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  • sam
    Jul 27, 2011 - 11:21AM

    @pl/sql:

    at what point in time will u and india for that matter take responsibility for their own created issues.. did we create poverty?, did u gave u the economic boom which is often linked to depression in capatilist societies? WOW im seriously amused by the lack of intelligence uv shown

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  • sam
    Jul 27, 2011 - 11:25AM

    @sanjay:

    yes im sure just like the data suggesting pakistan is one of the worlds failed states….. rrrrriiiiiiiiiiigggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhtttttttttttttttttt (in case u didnt catch on being sarcastic)

    QUESTION TO ALL INDIANS

    why do ur egos get bruised so easily?

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  • MS - Mariya
    Jul 27, 2011 - 1:08PM

    @Rock:
    clearly you fall in the category of bigots, haters and losers for coming on this site repeatedly. Go get a life. Before bothering with problems of your neighbour..fix your own house.

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  • anil
    Jul 27, 2011 - 1:23PM

    yes ,what’s wrong in this ? we are stressed,we accept .Stressed because of our log hour jobs,stressed because everyone trying hard to earn money,stressed because we have no time to spend time with family members,stressed because of intense competetion,stressed because students face huge homeworks . Pakistanis should know that India is moving through a vast phase of socio-economic changes in its history ,which will affect us ,our life style,our mentality.We are approaching a status which we desired long ago and we are ready for that.For this if you people criticise ,then we accept this criticism.

    Thanks..

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  • Jul 27, 2011 - 2:26PM

    Depression is not good for health and as a whole humanity.. depression comes out with crimes and bad mental illnesses.we should not overcome materialistic desires too much it gives less satisfation n desire of more and more which takes one away from nature and natural way of life…it’s not any country problem it’s a global issues.. by com ing out report on India dose’nt prove India to be more depressed its not a matter of more and less its the matter of individual lives in any place in the world… So we should try to be contented what we have and not think or worry too much what we don not have …

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  • Pravin
    Jul 27, 2011 - 2:31PM

    There are lot of socio-economic changes are happening in India. I am sure those who are not able to keep up with the changes would be finding it hard to cope up. There could be some other reasons as well.

    We(Indians) should accept the findings.

    I think its time for the health ministry to check the root causes and act on them.

    -Pravin

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  • Amir
    Jul 27, 2011 - 3:37PM

    Indians are depressed because among many things they have abandoned their values and have tried to become “Goras” ( western) — we in Pakistan need to stop going the same direction — stop using unnecessary english in our tv programs and dress islamic dress instead of copying west like the indians do

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  • rock
    Jul 27, 2011 - 3:50PM

    @MS – Mariya: read this “Some Indians spew hate, some give advise, some read but don’t post anything, some analyse the different social problems face in neighbouring country but most of the 1.2billion do not visit this site. ” If the statement wrong then you can correct it, labeling anyone does not help your argument. :)

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  • Jul 27, 2011 - 5:06PM

    @Ali Pakistani:
    be mature your statement is like a 5 years old child’s statement . You don’t like India is ok i can understand a condition of wet cat but your and all Pakistani comment is based on a survey. How you can trust on a survey. This is India not USA you can’t read India by any survey, come in India and experience here’s beauty than talk. You see what Media of Pak show try to go beyond. All though i’ll give you little example- People from Worldwide come in India to learn Yoga to release depression and we amplify branches across the Globe. Also the Art of living has hundred of branches as well. Many more dear ever visit India than you will find how we are happy.Recommend

  • Abhi
    Jul 27, 2011 - 5:40PM

    @MS – Mariya
    Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. Tiny minds discuss colour of skin.

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  • harkol
    Jul 27, 2011 - 6:15PM

    I am not surprised. Life in India is a huge, massive struggle not only for the poor but even relatively well of middle class. Only folks who are having a ball are super rich & politicians, who can afford to fortify themselves from real India.

    it takes me one hour to commute just 10kms in most cities!! Why won’t people be depressed?Recommend

  • Tom Ato
    Jul 27, 2011 - 8:35PM

    You want something more factual? Get a major news source to conduct a poll for all the countries, then we’ll find out who is the most depressed. A Pakistani newspaper saying India is the most depressed nation in the world has no standingand is obviously a lie. Hey Pakistan, ask your women if they’re happy with their rights…oh wait, they don’t have any!!!! Almost half your population right there is already depressed.

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  • sam
    Jul 28, 2011 - 1:03AM

    @Tom Ato:

    and yet u come here to get ur biased news? yet u come here because u feel only biased comments are posted? plz stop being such a hypocrite… just because the news is published on a pakistani news paper doesnt make it less credible incase (which im sure u did) u jumped to conclusions the research was conducted by WHO..
    <@ ALL INDIANS
    why does ur entire existence revolve around us… if some headline bashes us u come here to leave posts showing how much better than us u are.. if some headline God forbid bashes india u still come here to point out that pakistan is worse than india (even if it isnt a fact)
    none of u will ever prosper if u live like ostriches with ur heads underground.. and absolutely incapable of admitting to any faults…we humans are anything but perfect but yet ur unable to own up to the fact that indians can make mistakes too… what utter hypocrisy. quite frankly im embarrassed for all of u!
    pls stop living in lala land and STOP comparing urselves to us… and before u deny it pls read every single comment left by indians on this page!Recommend

  • from india
    Jul 28, 2011 - 10:59AM

    India is depressed because it is not getting the required number of votes to be the permanent member of UNSC, while Pakistan is depressed because it is not getting the required amount of aid and handouts to feed its ever growing population !!

    India is depressed because people over here are feeling the pressure of capitalism, while Pakistan is depressed because it is still cursed with feudalism !!

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  • Tony Singh
    Jul 28, 2011 - 4:03PM

    With a neighbour like Pakistan, what else can be expected? :(

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  • Tony Singh
    Jul 28, 2011 - 4:26PM

    Who says Pakistanis are depressed? In fact they are the happiest people on earth. So much so that they blow themselves (and others) to express it.

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  • justsaying
    Jul 28, 2011 - 4:30PM

    @Sumbal Yusef:

    It is ‘people living in wealthier nations’, read attentively!

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  • rehmat
    Jul 29, 2011 - 12:35PM

    If you read the original article, it says “120 million people world wide suffer this affliction”. Separately, it claims “36% of India (population 1.2B) have the same malady”, This equates to roughly 400 million people in India alone.

    So how is it 400 million people in India are are afflicted, but only 120 million worldwide. The data inconsistency within the same article makes you question the quality of data.

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  • MS - Mariya
    Jul 29, 2011 - 12:37PM

    @Abhi: Clearly you have some complex about your skin colour to have assumed that i was talking abut skin colour. You are not just narrow minded to not get what I mean by looking at the mirror everyday.Recommend

  • adam
    Jul 29, 2011 - 3:25PM

    @all, the depression may be due to fact that they can;t do whatever they see in the bollywood movies.

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  • Swati
    Aug 13, 2011 - 9:49PM

    Whats wrong with you Pakistanis? Sour Grapes!!! I think. can’t stand India’s success and rising economic might so lets attack India with whatever unresearched data published anywhere. I am a market research analyst and trust to me to do a reseach that can truly represent huge countries like India and China takes thousands of sample and years to collect and analyse the data. What these newspapers publish is a small piece of entire picture DONOT TRUST THEM!!
    India Rocks! Long Live and Prosper my dear India.

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  • Waqar
    Aug 21, 2011 - 12:16AM

    @sanjay:
    “…no international agency shall bother to go deep in rural to collect the data. In fact anti depressants are rarely available in rural pharmaceuticals.”

    Although, anti depressants are rarely available in rural areas as very few people can afford them, India still has one of the highest suicide rates in the world amongst farmers and agricultural workers.

    Recommend

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