DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania has ranked fifth out of 84 countries in a global survey measuring mental wellbeing among young adults, with several African nations dominating the top positions, according to the latest Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) report.
The study, part of the Global Mind Health Project conducted by Sapien Labs, placed Tanzanians aged 18 to 34 fifth worldwide. Older adults aged above 55 ranked 19th globally, suggesting comparatively strong mental wellbeing across generations.
The MHQ is an anonymous online survey that takes around 15 minutes to complete and assesses 47 aspects of mental function across cognitive, emotional, social, behavioural and physical domains using a life-impact scale. The latest findings draw on responses from nearly one million participants across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
According to the report released in Dar es Salaam, Tanzanian respondents performed strongly on family closeness indicators. Young adults ranked 14th globally on this measure, while those over 55 placed seventh.
Globally, the report points to a widening generational gap in mental health outcomes. Young adults today are four times more likely than those over 55 to experience clinically significant mental health challenges that substantially affect daily functioning.
“The mind health crisis appears to be a progressive slide from generation to generation and goes far beyond rising rates of depression and anxiety,” said Dr Tara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist of Sapien Labs and lead author of the report.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Tanzanian youth (18–34) placed fifth worldwide, while older adults also scored well, ranking 19th.
- Strong family relationships emerged as a protective factor, with Tanzanians scoring highly on measures of family closeness.
- Several African countries dominated the top rankings, suggesting cultural and social structures may support mental wellbeing.
- Despite positive regional results, the report warns of a global generational decline in mental health, with young adults facing rising emotional and psychological pressures.
- Tanzania’s social fabric – particularly family ties and community cohesion – may contribute to better mental health outcomes than seen in many higher-income nations.
“We assessed a wide range of capacities essential for navigating life’s challenges and found that many young adults are struggling. Alongside depression and anxiety, they often experience challenges in emotional regulation, relationship management and their ability to focus,” she said.
Despite the global decline among younger generations, the survey highlights pronounced regional differences. Young adults in sub-Saharan Africa consistently outperformed peers in higher-income regions including North America, Europe and parts of Asia.
Ghana topped the global rankings, followed by Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania – making the top five entirely African countries.
Researchers linked the generational shift in mental wellbeing to multiple factors, including early exposure to smartphones, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, weakening family bonds and declining spirituality. Countries were assessed across these and other social dimensions.
The strong performance of several African nations, the report suggests, may reflect protective social and cultural factors. Respondents in parts of sub-Saharan Africa reported higher levels of spirituality, later adoption of smartphones in childhood and stronger family connections compared with peers in wealthier regions.
While the findings offer a positive snapshot for Tanzania and its regional counterparts, researchers caution that global trends among young adults remain a growing public health concern.