Sri Lanka leads in mental wellness as Pakistan, India lag behind

In a surprising turn of events, Sri Lankans have emerged as a notably happier population compared to their counterparts in Pakistan and India, according to the latest findings from Sapien Labs' Mental State of the World Report.

According to the report, Pakistan stood at 56th place out of 71 countries in terms of overall mental well-being in 2023, with India trailing closely behind at 61st. In stark contrast, Sri Lanka secured an impressive second place.

Interestingly, the study found that wealthier anglosphere nations scored lower on the happiness scale, while impoverished African and Latin American countries ranked the highest. The Dominican Republic claimed the top spot, followed by Tanzania in third place.

Sapien Labs, a prominent global research organisation committed to enhancing mental well-being, unveiled its fourth annual Mental State of the World Report on Monday. This comprehensive report, a cornerstone of the Global Mind Project, offers crucial insights into the mental health of internet-connected populations worldwide.

The study, conducted in 2023, involved surveying over 500,000 respondents across 71 countries, spanning nine geographical regions and encompassing 13 languages.

Average MHQ (L) and Percentage Distressed/Struggling (R). PHOTO: SAPIEN LABS

Using the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) assessment, a comprehensive online survey, the data gathered offers not only an overall mental well-being metric but also diverse perspectives on individuals' ability to manage life stresses and maintain productivity.

The average MHQ score across the surveyed countries in 2023 was 65 out of 300. Within this spectrum, 27% of respondents were categorised as "distressed" or "struggling", while 38% were identified as "succeeding" or "thriving". These figures closely mirror those from the previous year.

Top performers in the MHQ rankings included the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania, with scores of 88 or higher, while countries like Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan (Russian speaking) ranked lowest, with scores ranging from 48 to 53.

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Pakistan and India fell among the lower third, scoring 60 and 59, respectively. This highlights a significant 14.3% difference between the top and bottom-ranked countries on the MHQ scale.

Sri Lanka, Italy, Georgia, and Nigeria boasted the lowest percentages of respondents experiencing distress or Struggle, ranging from 14 to 17%. Conversely, Brazil, South Africa, and the United Kingdom showed the highest proportions of such respondents, ranging from 34% to 35%. Pakistan and India fell slightly better, with 28% and 30% respectively.

For most of the 64 repeat countries, there was little change in average MHQ scores or the percentage of distressed respondents compared to 2022.

Mental well-being dimensions across countries. PHOTO: SAPIEN LABS

Despite efforts, mental well-being has stagnated at post-pandemic lows, indicating lasting impacts of the pandemic and shifts in lifestyle, exacerbated by remote work and increased digital engagement.

Notably, younger populations, particularly those under 35, experienced significant declines in mental well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic, contrasting with the stability observed among those over 65. This emphasises the urgent need to comprehend the underlying causes on a global scale.

Once again, several African and Latin American countries have outperformed wealthier nations from the Core Anglosphere in mental well-being rankings, challenging assumptions about the correlation between wealth and mental well-being. Reports released earlier by Sapien Labs have shed light on root causes, including early smartphone exposure, frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, and strained family relationships.

Dr Tara Thiagarajan, Founder and Chief Scientist of Sapien Labs, underscored the significance of the insights presented in the report, stressing the need to understand collective drivers of mental well-being as societies strive for genuine prosperity.

As the report emphasises the importance of preserving functional capacity and nurturing true human prosperity, Sapien Labs urges stakeholders across sectors to consider the implications of a society grappling with diminished mental well-being.