Kenyan Youth Rank Higher in Mental Health Compared to Wealthy Nations
A new report has revealed that young people in Kenya and several other African countries are in better mental health compared to their peers in wealthier nations.
The study found that young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria have shown greater mental resilience over the past six years.
According to the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) scale, which measures mental well-being on a scale of 1 to 100, Kenyan youth scored between 50 and 60.
This is significantly higher than young adults in high-income nations, where mental health has been on a sharp decline since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Among the African countries, Tanzania ranked first both on the continent and globally, while Nigerian youth achieved scores above 60, reflecting a higher level of mental well-being.
Mental Health in Western Countries Declining Rapidly
The findings, published in the 2024 Mental State of the World Report by Sapiens Lab on Thursday, March 6, are based on responses from over one million internet users across 76 countries worldwide.
The report paints a troubling picture of youth mental health in Western countries. Since 2019, mental well-being among people aged 18 to 34 in wealthier nations has continued to decline, with no signs of improvement.
“The decline is far less severe in several African nations, where mental well-being scores remain significantly higher,” the report stated.
Africa’s Mental Health Progress and Challenges
Despite African countries ranking higher than the West in youth mental health, challenges remain. In South Africa, for example, young adults scored between 30 and 40 on the MHQ scale.
While this is higher than the scores of struggling nations such as the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and New Zealand, it still falls within a low range.
The survey used the MHQ to assess various aspects of mental health, including emotional stability, social relationships, and cognitive function.
The results showed that young people worldwide are struggling with severe emotional distress and functional impairments at a much higher rate than older adults.
Why African Youth Have Better Mental Health
The report attributes the better mental health scores in African nations to lower levels of digital connectivity compared to high-income countries.
However, with the rapid growth of technology in Africa, this trend could change. Increased smartphone use and social media adoption could erode traditional social structures that currently support mental well-being.
In contrast, the declining mental health of young people in Western nations is linked to various lifestyle and environmental factors.
Experts highlight issues such as reduced social interactions, early exposure to smartphones, unhealthy diets high in processed foods, and increased exposure to environmental toxins.
“Younger generations are forming fewer close friendships, spending more time online, and consuming diets that negatively impact emotional stability and cognitive function.
These combined pressures have led to a deepening global mental health crisis,” Sapiens Lab stated.
The report further emphasized that although the world has moved past the worst phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects on mental well-being continue to linger, with no clear signs of recovery.
Older Generations Have Stronger Mental Health
The study also found that older adults worldwide are faring much better than younger generations. On average, people aged 55 and above recorded MHQ scores of 100.
In over 55 countries across Africa, Central and South America, South-East Asia, Israel, and the UAE, older populations scored over 110 on the MHQ scale.
Among African nations, Nigeria ranked highest for older adults, with an MHQ score of 110, while Kenya came in second with scores ranging between 100 and 110.
“In stark contrast to older adults, the average MHQ score for younger internet-enabled adults under 35 ranges from 5 to 71 across 79 countries, with a global average of just 38—over 60 points lower than those aged 55 and above,” the
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