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49 Outright Anxiety Statistics for an Easygoing 2023

anxiety statistics 2021

With life being a little strange all over the world at the moment, it may not come as a surprise to you that more and more people are experiencing anxiety. 

The following anxiety statistics will give you insight into the different types of disorders and who experiences them. 

Here, you will find out all about anxiety around the globe, the prevalence of anxiety in the United States, the forms of anxiety you will find in the world, statistics on childhood and teenage anxiety, anxiety according to race, and eating disorders and their relation to anxiety. You’ll also find information on the best supplements and vitamins to help with this condition. 

The Top 10 Anxiety Stats and Facts

  • About 284 million people suffered from an anxiety disorder in 2017. 
  • The percentage of adults with anxiety symptoms increased from 36.4% to 41.5% between 2020 and 2021.
  • Anxiety increased from 5.12% in 2008 to 6.68% in 2018 among adult Americans.
  • Every year, 18.1% of the United States’ adult population is affected by anxiety. 
  • Generalized anxiety disorder is the most typical anxiety disorder in older adults.
  • 2.3% of adults in the United States have a life-long obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to OCD statistics.  
  • The phobic disorders appear to be more prevalent among women. 
  • White Americans are more likely to suffer from panic disorders, with a prevalence of 5.1%. 
  • Around 1.5% of females living in the United States suffer from bulimia nervosa.
  • The best nutrients to take for anxiety include Omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, B vitamins, and L-theanine. 

Chart by Visualizer

Chart by Visualizer

Chart by Visualizer

Anxiety Statistics Worldwide

Being the most prevalent mental disorder globally, anxiety has, in the 21st century, caught the attention of mental health professionals as it continues to be a center of attraction in the world of psychology.

The following will give you an insight into how the globe has been affected by this mental disorder.

1. Statistics on anxiety from 2017 show that 3.8% of the global population lives with anxiety disorders. 

(Statista)

Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, and panic disorder all fall under the umbrella of anxiety disorders.  

2. In 2015, it was worked out that the geographical area with the highest rates of anxiety was South-East Asia. 

(Statista)

The region with the second-highest rate of anxiety was the Americas. Following closely in third place was the Western Pacific region. 

3. Globally, women experience mental health problems and substance abuse issues more than men. 

(Statista)

13.3% of women experience mental health problems or substance abuse issues, compared to 12.6% of men. 

4. About 284 million people suffered from an anxiety disorder in 2017.

(Our World in Data)

Anxiety statistics for 2021 show that anxiety is currently regarded as the most common mental health disorder, closely followed by depression.

5. The percentage of adults with anxiety symptoms increased from 36.4% to 41.5% between 2020 and 2021.

(Centers for Disease Control)

One of the main reasons for this was undoubtedly the recent coronavirus pandemic outbreak. Anxiety statistics from 2020 indicate that 26.3% of US citizens reported depressive disorder or anxiety disorder symptoms throughout that year. 

The fear, grief, soaring unemployment rates, and lockdown measures for controlling the spread of the virus triggered the COVID-19 anxiety syndrome in many worldwide.

The COVID-19 anxiety symptom list includes avoiding public places and transportation for fear of contracting the virus, persistent symptoms checking, constant worry, obsessive cleaning, etc. 

Social distance anxiety was also a common occurrence throughout this period. 

6. Though anxiety disorders can be effectively treated, only 36.9% of those suffering get adequate treatment.

(Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

Anxiety facts show that many people with anxiety disorders either aren’t fully aware of their condition or are in denial that they have problems that require to be addressed. This is a common reason why they don’t seek treatment. 

7. Anxiety can sometimes be beneficial.

(American Psychiatric Association)

It’s a normal reaction to stressful events that can help us prepare for potentially dangerous situations and help us be more alert.  

On the other hand, anxiety disorder is characterized by fear or anxiety that isn’t in proportion to the situation that can hinder our daily functioning.

People with anxiety disorders often lose interest in work, and neglect their daily routines.

8. Anxiety disorder often co-occurs with other mental illnesses.

(Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

Anxiety and depression statistics show that depression, eating disorders, OCD, PTSD, and ADHD (in children) often accompany anxiety disorders. 

Anxiety in the US

Chart by Visualizer

Chart by Visualizer

Chart by Visualizer

Currently, anxiety disorders stand as the most typical mental health disorder in the United States. Though anxiety has been tipped to be highest in developing countries with low socioeconomic status, global psychology researchers and pundits are still researching the reason for the high rates in America, despite being a highly developed nation. 

There have been speculations that the increased industrialisation has led to massive expectations from citizens, which has been a possible link to the increased rate of anxiety. The following statistics will enlighten you on the issue of anxiety in the United States.

9. Every year, 18.1% of the US adult population is affected by anxiety. 

(Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

That’s 40 million new anxiety patients a year, according to the prevalence of anxiety statistics in the US. 

10. Out of all mental health issues, anxiety disorders are the most prevalent in the United States. 

(Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

People who live with anxiety are six times as likely to end up in a psychiatric facility or hospital than those with other mental health issues. 

11. Of those adults who live with anxiety disorders, 43.5% are only mildly impaired. 

(National Institute of Mental Health)

On a more serious note, 33.7% were moderately impaired, and 22.8% were seriously impaired, show anxiety statistics. 

12. Emotional symptoms of anxiety disorders include apprehension or dread and being tense or easily startled. 

(National Alliance on Mental Health)

Further emotional symptoms include irritability, restlessness, thoughts of the worst possible scenario, and being constantly on the lookout for any signs of danger. 

13. Anxiety among adult Americans increased by more than 1% from 2008 to 2018.

(PubMed Central)

Anxiety disorders statistics reveal that the occurrence of anxiety in adult US citizens (18–49) rose from 5.12% in 2008 to 6.68% in 2018. 

The study also shows there was no significant increase in anxiety in individuals over 50.

14. The physical symptoms of anxiety include an increased heart rate, frequent sweating, and trouble breathing. 

(National Alliance on Mental Health)

Other physical symptoms are tremors, twitching, sleep issues, exhaustion, headaches, stomach problems, and persistent urination. 

15. A combination of genetics and environmental factors can cause anxiety disorders. 

(National Alliance on Mental Health)

Genetics can play a part in someone suffering from an anxiety disorder. For others, real-life factors cause anxiety. 

Types of Anxiety

Grouping anxiety into types has been a pretty cumbersome task for mental health professionals. However, the American Psychiatric Association has categorised anxiety into six major types.

The following facts will show you what you need to know about the types of anxiety.

16. There are many disorders that fall under the category of anxiety disorders. 

(National Institute of Mental Health)

Anxiety types include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, particular phobias, agoraphobia, separation anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, 

17. 3.1% of people in the United States suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). 

(Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

That’s around 6.8 million people in their adult years. Unfortunately, only 43.2% of those with the disorder will be treated for it. 

18. 2.3% of adults in the United States have life-long obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

(National Institute of Mental Health)

Furthermore, the OCD statistics from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication show that around 1.2% of American adults had experienced obsessive-compulsive disorder in the preceding year.  

19. 2.7% of people living in America have panic disorder. 

(Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

That amounts to around 6 million people in their adult years. As far as gender goes, men are less likely than women to be affected by panic disorder. 

20. 6.8% of people in the United States live with social anxiety disorder. 

(Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

That’s 15 million people suffering from the disorder. Social anxiety disorder usually starts at around age 13. 

21. Generalized anxiety disorder statistics show that generalized anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder in older adults.

(WebMD)

General anxiety is closely followed by OCD, phobias, panic disorder, and PTSD. 

22. According to NCS-A, about 2.2% of adolescents in the US have a generalized anxiety disorder.

(National Institute of Mental Health)

Teen anxiety statistics further reveal that this condition severely impairs about 0.9% of adolescents. 

Moreover, statistics show that general anxiety disorder is more prevalent among female (3.0%) than male (1.5%) adolescents.

23. Generalized anxiety disorder is more prevalent in females than in males.

(PubMed Central)

Anxiety disorder statistics also reveal that women are more likely to get a lifetime anxiety disorder diagnosis. Additionally, anxiety disorders tend to be more disabling in females.

24. Panic anxiety disorder can range from just a few episodes per year to several panic attacks a day.

(Medscape)

Anxiety facts state that panic attacks must be associated with a persistent worry (lasting for at least a month) to meet the criteria for panic disorder. 

The worry should be related to having another attack, the potential consequences of the panic attack, and attack-related maladaptive behavioral changes. 

Additionally, panic attacks shouldn’t result from substance abuse, another mental illness, or other medical conditions to qualify as a panic anxiety disorder.  

(Medscape)

There’s a 43% chance of inheriting panic disorder from a first-degree relative. 

However, what exactly causes anxiety is still unclear. Scientists currently believe that several genes coupled with environmental factors are responsible for the susceptibility to this mental disorder.   

26. Phobic disorders are no longer classified as a specific group of anxiety disorders. 

(Medscape)

These include social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobia, and agoraphobia. 

27. Phobic disorders could be connected with the dysregulation of endogenous biogenic amines.

(Medscape)

Sympathetic nervous system activation is fairly common in phobic disorder sufferers. Therefore they may experience increased blood pressure, tachycardia, shortness of breath, tremor, palpitations, etc.

28. Social anxiety statistics show that US citizens are more affected by this disorder than the rest of the world. 

(Grace College)

About 7% of American adults are affected by social anxiety. This is a much larger number compared to the rest of the world, where prevalence rates range from 0.5 to 2%. 

For the sake of comparison, Europe has a median prevalence of social anxiety of 2.3%.

29. Phobic disorders appear to be more prevalent among women.

(Medscape)

The female-to-male ratio of phobic disorders ranges from 1.5:1 to 2.2:1 in the general population.

The gender difference in prevalence is higher in teens and young adults.

Childhood and Teenage Anxiety: Statistics and Facts

Before now, it was thought that children and teens had nothing to do with anxiety disorders as people will often say, “What do they think of?” However, today, this thinking has been largely demystified by reports and studies showing that anxiety disorders occur in teens and adolescents. 

The following children and teens anxiety statistics will reveal how anxiety has affected children and teens globally.

30. 31.9% of adolescents in the United States live with an anxiety disorder. 

(National Institute of Mental Health)

This is compared to 31.1% of adults who have experienced some form of anxiety. 

31. An estimated 8% of children and teenagers experience an anxiety disorder before the age of 21.

(Anxiety and Depression Association of America)

Anxiety in adolescent statistics show that the incidence of anxiety disorders is likely to decrease with age. 

32. The median onset of social anxiety is the age of 13 in the US.

(Theravive)

Social anxiety statistics show that 75% of social anxiety disorders started experiencing the symptoms between the ages of 8 and 15.  

33. Untreated anxiety in students may lead to poor academic performance, lack of interest in social activities, and substance abuse. 

(IBCCES, Child Mind Institute)

Anxiety in high school students statistics shows that high school students today experience more anxiety symptoms than teens in the 1980s. 

They’re also twice as likely to seek professional health. 

34. Anxiety in children between the ages of 3 and 17 can be combined with other mental health issues. 

(Centers for Disease Control)

32.3% of children with anxiety also experience depression. 

35. 59.3% of children aged 3–17 who had been diagnosed with anxiety received treatment. 

(Centers for Disease Control)

Treatment of anxiety is important in order for the child living with it to have a good life and be able to manage their emotional and physical symptoms. 

Anxiety Statistics by Race

Anxiety differs in various races. In the United States alone, social anxiety disorder seems to be more in whites and post-traumatic stress disorder than blacks. The exact reason for these differences in anxiety among various races is unknown, although cultural variations and environmental influence play a role.

The following statistics about anxiety will show you how this common mental health disorder affects various racial groups. 

36. Black Americans are more likely to develop serious mental health issues than the general population.

(Medical News Today)

Anxiety statistics in the US indicate that Black Americans have a 20% higher chance of PTSD and similar disorders.

Sadly, suicide rates among Black Americans have also been on the rise, making it one of the leading causes of death of young black people aged 15–24. 

37. Census Bureau data shows that anxiety and depression rates among Black Americans increased after the murder of George Floyd.

(Medical News Today)

Anxiety facts reveal that anxiety may manifest differently in Black Americans who are more likely to develop PTSD than their white counterparts. 

38. Social anxiety disorder is more common among white Americans, with a prevalence of 12.6%. 

(The Recovery Village)

It is the second most common in African Americans, with 8.6%. Hispanic Americans have a prevalence of 8.2%, and Asian Americans have a prevalence of 5.3%. 

39. Post-traumatic stress disorder is more common among African Americans, with a prevalence of 8.6%. 

(The Recovery Village)

This is compared to white Americans with a prevalence of 6.5%, Hispanic Americans with 5.6%, and Asian Americans with 1.6%, according to the anxiety statistics from 2019 and 2020.  

40. White Americans are more likely to suffer from panic disorders, with a prevalence of 5.1%. 

(The Recovery Village)

Hispanic Americans have the second-highest prevalence of this disorder, with 4.1%. African Americans have a prevalence of 3.8%, and Asian Americans have a prevalence of 2.1%. 

41. Generalized anxiety disorder is more common among white Americans, with a prevalence of 8.6%. 

(The Recovery Village)

Hispanic Americans have the second-highest prevalence of 5.8%. African Americans have 4.9%, and Asian Americans have a 2.4% prevalence. 

Mental Health: Statistics on Eating Disorders 

Before the 20th century, not much was known about eating disorders. Being much more than just having to do with food, eating disorders have been extensively studied, and today, eating disorders is well stated as a psychological disorder in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5).  

Various researches and studies have shown that anxiety disorders are strongly linked with eating disorders. The following mental health statistics will show you what you need to know about the relationship between anxiety and eating disorders.

42. Anxiety disorder symptoms may precede eating disorders.

(Mindwise)

For those suffering from severe anxiety, taking control over their eating habits, weight, and exercise regimen may serve as a temporary relief.

This is because being able to control their food intake gives them a false sense of control they desperately need. 

Anxiety disorder stats reveal that anxiety disorder preceded the eating disorder in 90% of women with anorexia nervosa and 94% of women with bulimia nervosa.

43. Around two out of three people who suffer from eating disorders also have an anxiety disorder. 

(Health)

The most common anxiety disorder among people with eating disorders is obsessive-compulsive disorder, while those with PTSD are more likely to experience bulimia. 

44. In the United States, there are around 30 million people who live with an eating disorder of some kind. 

(ANAD)

Eating disorder and anxiety statistics that are even more worrying include the fact that around every 62 minutes, a person passes away because of an eating disorder. 

45. Around 1.5% of females living in the United States suffer from bulimia nervosa. 

(ANAD)

And around 0.9% of women living in the United States will experience anorexia nervosa at some point. 

46. Around 2.8% of adults living in the United States will experience a binge-eating disorder.

(ANAD)

Out of all those with a binge-eating disorder, in around half of the cases, it is genetic. 

Supplements and Mental Health: Facts and Stats

Anxiety can be effectively treated with a particular class of drugs called sedatives and hypnotics. There are two main sedatives and hypnotics: benzodiazepines (diazepam) and barbiturates (phenobarbital). Both drugs differ in their mechanism of action but generally have similar effects. 

Though pharmacotherapy is a mainstay in the treatment of anxiety, statistics have revealed that supplements also play a massive role in improving symptoms, increasing the efficacy of therapy, and hastening the return to premorbid conditions. 

The following anxiety and mental health supplement statistics will give you an insight into how supplements can be beneficial to people with anxiety disorders.

47. The best anxiolytic supplements for anxiety include gamma-aminobutyric acid, passionflower, and valerian root. 

(The Recovery Village)

Others that are good for dealing with anxiety are ashwagandha and rhodiola. 

48. The best nutrients to take for anxiety include Omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, B vitamins, and L-theanine. 

(The Recovery Village)

Taking these daily or adding food with them to your diet should help to reduce anxiety. 

49. Brazil nuts, fatty fish, and eggs are foods that will help those with anxiety. 

(Medical News Today)

More foods to consider eating if you suffer from anxiety are pumpkin seeds, turmeric, dark chocolate, yogurt, chamomile tea, and green tea. 

FAQs

What triggers anxiety? 

Common triggers for anxiety include certain medications, health issues, missing meals, financial issues, caffeine, negativity, stress, social events, public speaking or presentations, conflict, or even a variety of triggers that are specific to that person. 

Whether it’s generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety in adults, severe anxiety disorder, clinical anxiety, or any other form of mild or extreme anxiety, there are lots of triggers out there to look out for. If you’re looking for help with anxiety, it’s best to avoid those triggers mentioned above. 

Does anxiety increase with age?

Anxiety doesn’t necessarily increase in a person as they get older. However, the most anxious people are generally those in middle-age. This can be largely because of the stresses of everyday life that they would not have faced when they were younger. It can also be because of neurological changes in the brain. 

There are different types of moderate and high anxiety that affect people of different ages. For example, the type of anxiety that a child may face is likely to be very different from the anxiety that an adult may face. There are many mental illnesses that affect people of all ages, and anxiety is one of them. 

Is anxiety a mental illness? 

Yes, anxiety disorders do form part of the many mental illnesses out there. There are many different kinds of anxiety issues, and these include specific personalized phobias, separation anxiety disorder, anxiety disorders arising from substance abuse, social anxiety disorder, selective mutism, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and anxiety caused by a health problem. 

Like all psychological disorders, there are no one-size-fits-all anxiety cures. However, there are all types of medication, including generalized anxiety disorder medication, used as part of treatment for anxiety.   

Who is mostly affected by anxiety?

In general, anyone can experience anxiety, despite age, gender, socio-economic standing, or ethnicity. However, there are certain people who are more at risk of experiencing anxiety. 

Women are more likely than men to suffer from anxiety. Anxiety is also more common among those adults who are under the age of 35 years old. In addition to this, people with serious health issues are also more likely to suffer from anxiety. 

How many people in the US have anxiety?

Statistics show that 19.1% (over 40 million) of US adults suffer from an anxiety disorder. 

Conclusion

These days, anxieties around the world are high given the crisis that we have found ourselves in. It’s important to know that if you’re suffering from anxiety, you are not alone. The above anxiety statistics should give you some insight into the various disorders that are categorized under the term anxiety. They should also shed some light on anxiety around the world and in the United States. Of course, you don’t have to live with anxiety without any help, as there are certain foods, supplements, and vitamins that you can take to help ease your anxiety. 

Sources:

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Jessica is a writer and editor from Cape Town, South Africa. She started her journey studying journalism and media studies, along with English literature. Since then, she’s written for many different websites on a number of subjects. She loves any topic that she can really sink her teeth into, and she makes sure that everything she writes is thoroughly researched.

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1 comment

  1. Like!! Great article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.

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