Study shows high rates of severe depression, anxiety among Singapore youth

Findings from the National Youth Mental Health Study demonstrate a high prevalence of severe depression and anxiety among youths in Singapore.

“Our study showed an overall prevalence of 14.9 percent of severe and extremely severe symptoms of depression and 27 percent of severe and extremely severe symptoms of anxiety among youths in Singapore,” the investigators said. The United Nations defines ‘youth’ as individuals aged 15–24 years. [https://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/youth/fact-sheets/youth-definition.pdf, accessed November 7, 2025]

Severe and extremely severe depression symptoms were highest among those aged 20–24 years (20.9 percent), of Malay ethnicity (23.3 percent), with a technical diploma (25.9 percent), unemployed (29.7 percent), and with a monthly income below S$5,000 (19.4 percent). These subgroups also had high rates of severe and extremely severe anxiety symptoms (34.1, 40.9, 42.8, 38.3, and 35.3 percent, respectively).

The prevalence of severe and extremely severe anxiety symptoms was also higher in women than in men (28.9 percent vs 25 percent). [Asian J Psychiatr 2025:105:104405]

Youths who were NEET* had the highest prevalence of severe and extremely severe symptoms of depression (29.8 percent) and anxiety (38.4 percent). “[They] are considered vulnerable, as NEET status is associated with various adverse outcomes, including poor mental health and social exclusion,” the investigators noted.

Sociodemographic factors

The odds of experiencing severe and extremely severe depression symptoms were higher among youths aged 20–24 vs 30–35 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; p=0.031), those with vocational/technical diploma vs university and above education (OR, 1.8; p=0.019), Indian (OR, 1.4; p=0.021) and Malay (OR, 1.8; p<0.001) vs Chinese, and unemployed vs employed (OR, 2.6; p<0.001).

Similar patterns were observed for severe and extremely severe anxiety symptoms – the odds were higher among youths aged 15–19 and 20–24 vs 30–35 years (OR, 1.6; p=0.046 and OR, 1.4; p=0.048), those with pre-U/junior college education (OR, 1.6; p=0.043) and vocational/technical diploma (OR, 2.0; p=0.001) vs university and above education, Malay vs Chinese (OR, 1.9; p<0.001), and women vs men (OR, 1.4; p=0.003).

The higher likelihood of severe anxiety in women may be attributed to their openness about their symptoms and being more reactive to stressors than men. [Aust J Psychol 2018;70:225-234; Int J Psychophysiol 2008;69:101-106] Moreover, emotional processing and its underlying neural mechanisms may differ between men and women, which may increase anxiety risk in the latter. [Neuropsychologia 2012;50:1578-1593]

As for the higher incidence of depression and anxiety among youths who have not obtained university education, the researchers noted that “declining academic attainment could be considered a harbinger of psychological distress in youths”.

Psychosocial factors

Moderate and marked body shape concerns were significantly associated with severe and extremely severe symptoms of depression (ORs, 2.7 [moderate] and 2.5 [marked]) and anxiety (ORs, 2.2 and 3.2, respectively; p<0.001 for all). Moreover, mild body shape concerns were also a factor for anxiety symptoms (OR, 1.6; p=0.003).

“Adolescence is associated with increased body dissatisfaction, and the perceived discrepancy between the ideal body and one’s own body … has been associated with increased depressive symptoms [among adolescents],” the researchers explained.

Notably, cyberbullying also increased the likelihood of severe and extremely severe anxiety symptoms (OR, 1.4; p=0.021). According to the researchers, this may have been driven by the constant exposure to negative online interactions. [Sustainability 2023;15:9978]

Implications

A total of 2,600 youths (50.2 percent women) completed this cross-sectional epidemiological survey of Singapore residents aged 15–35 years.

“[The findings] have substantial implications for developing and improving youth services in Singapore. The high prevalence of severe and extremely severe levels of depression and anxiety highlights the need for comprehensive and accessible mental health services tailored to the unique challenges faced by young individuals,” the researchers said.

Identifying common risk factors underlines the importance of integrating preventive measures into schools and youth services, they added.