A World Health Organization-sponsored study by the American BMC Medical Journal found that people in richer countries, for the most part, show more prevalence of major depressive episodes.
The results are based on surveys with 90,000 people in 18 countries, some face to face. On average, over half of all respondents in rich and middle-income countries reported having had a depressive episode at some point in their lives.
China – Low levels of depression
Japan – Low levels of depression
Image: Marilia Almeida via Flickr
Lifetime prevalence of depression: 6.6% Depressed in the last 12 months: 2.2%
Mexico – Low levels of depression
Image credit: AP
Lifetime prevalence of depression: 8% Depressed in the last 12 months: 4.0%
India – Low levels of depression
Image credit: AP
Lifetime prevalence of depression: 9.9% Depressed in the last 12 months: 3%
Lebanon – Medium levels of depression
Belgium- High levels of depression
Ukraine – High levels of depression
Image: www.flickr.com
Lifetime prevalence of depression: 14.6% Depressed in the last 12 months: 8.4%
New Zealand- High levels of depression
Image: Mollivan Jon on flickr
Lifetime prevalence of depression: 17.8% Depressed in the last 12 months: 6.6%
Netherlands – High levels of depression
Lifetime prevalence of depression: 17.9% Depressed in the last 12 months: 4.9%
United States – High levels of depression
Lifetime prevalence of depression: 19.2% Depressed in the last 12 months: 8.3%
France – Highest levels of depression
Image: www.flickr.com
Lifetime prevalence of depression: 21% Depressed in the last 12 months: 5.9%
Read more from original in Biz Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-depressed-countries-2011-8?op=1#ixzz1Ub29oOpL
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
