Uzbekistan has ranked 74th out of 83 countries in the latest Mental Health and Wellbeing Index, according to data from the Mental State of the World international survey. While this position places the country near the bottom globally, Uzbekistan stands out as the top performer among Central Asian nations, where mental health and overall morale remain critically low.
The survey paints a concerning picture for the region. Uzbekistan scored 54.5 points, well below the global average of 63, which indicates that people feel mentally stable and active for about 21 days each month.
Neighboring countries fared worse: Kazakhstan ranked 76th with 52.3 points, Kyrgyzstan came in 79th with 51.2 points, and Tajikistan followed closely in 80th place, also with 51.2 points. These figures reveal a consistent trend of poor mental health across Central Asia.
In stark contrast, the countries with the highest scores in mental wellbeing included the Dominican Republic (89 points), Tanzania (85.2), and Panama (84.4).
Even countries facing severe challenges showed surprisingly positive results. For example, despite the ongoing conflict, Israel ranked 4th globally with 84.2 points. Russia placed 24th with 73.8 points, and Ukraine, despite being embroiled in war, ranked 70th with 55.6 points — ahead of all Central Asian nations.
Experts point to several contributing factors behind the decline in global mental health: rising levels of anxiety, depression, persistent fatigue, loneliness, and unresolved personal or societal issues. The mental health crisis is particularly severe among youth.
Data indicates that half of all mental health conditions begin before the age of 14, making adolescents the most vulnerable group. Globally, about one in eight people — roughly 1bn of the world’s 8bn population — are affected by a mental illness.
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