Depression Statistics: What the Numbers Reveal in 2025
| Category | Key Statistic (U.S.) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prevalence (symptoms) | In 2021–2023, 12.9% of adolescents & adults had depression symptoms during the prior 2 weeks. | CDC Data Brief 527 |
| Sex differences | 16.0% of females vs 10.1% of males had depression symptoms (2021–2023). | CDC Data Brief 527 |
| Age pattern | Highest among ages 12–19 (19.2%); lowest among ages 60+ (8.7%). | CDC Data Brief 527 |
| Race & ethnicity | Depression symptoms by group (2021–2023): 18.3% (Non-Hispanic “other or multiple races”), 13.6% (Black), 11.5% (White), 11.3% (Hispanic), 7.4% (Asian). | CDC Data Brief 527 |
| Income gradient | Prevalence falls sharply with income: 21.1% (<100% FPL), 16.8% (100–<200%), 10.7% (200–<400%), 6.8% (≥400%). | CDC Data Brief 527 |
| Household | Those living alone had higher prevalence (17.3%) than those not living alone (11.2%). | CDC Data Brief 527 |
| Region | Regional range: Midwest 15.7% (highest) vs South 11.9% (lowest), 2021–2023. | CDC Data Brief 527 |
| Functioning | Among those with depression symptoms, 87.9% reported difficulty with daily activities; 31.2% reported extreme difficulty. | CDC Data Brief 527 |
| Trend since 2007–2008 | Prevalence increased for both sexes (2007–2008 → 2021–2023): +5.8 percentage points (females) and +3.7 (males). | CDC Data Brief 527 |
| Lifetime diagnosis | 29.0% of U.S. adults report having been diagnosed with depression at some point (record high, 2023). | Gallup (2023) |
| Current depression | 17.8% currently have or are being treated for depression (record high, 2023). | Gallup (2023) |
| By sex (lifetime) | Lifetime diagnosis: 36.7% of women vs 20.4% of men. | Gallup (2023) |
| By age (lifetime) | Lifetime diagnosis is high among young adults: 34.3% (18–29) and 34.9% (30–44). | Gallup (2023) |
| By sex (current) | Current depression/treatment: 23.8% among women (highest subgroup noted). | Gallup (2023) |
| By age (current) | Current depression/treatment is 24.6% among adults aged 18–29 (highest age group). | Gallup (2023) |
| Racial/ethnic trend | Lifetime depression rates among Black and Hispanic adults have surpassed those of White adults in the latest Gallup data. | Gallup (2023) |
| MDE (past year) | Major depressive disorder affects more than 21 million U.S. adults—about 8.4% of the population—in a given year (2020 estimate). | ADAA (citing NIMH) |
| Lifetime risk | Nearly 21% of U.S. adults will develop major depressive disorder at some point in life. | ADAA (Hasin et al.) |
| Onset | Median age of onset for MDD is about 32.5 years; MDD is a leading cause of disability for ages 15–44. | ADAA |
| Treatment gap (adults) | About 49% of adults with MDD are not receiving treatment. | ADAA |
| Adolescents (MDE) | ~4.1 million U.S. adolescents (ages 12–17) had at least one major depressive episode; about 60% did not receive treatment. | ADAA (citing NIMH) |
| Primary care signal | 10.6% of physician office visits had depression indicated on the medical record; 4.6% of adults report regular feelings of depression. | ADAA (citing CDC) |
| Persistent Depressive Disorder | PDD affects about 1.5% (≈3.1 million) of U.S. adults in a given year; average onset ≈31. | ADAA |
| Children & teens (context) | >1 in 20 U.S. children (ages 6–17) had current anxiety or depression by parent report in 2011–2012 (combined measure). | ADAA (Bitsko et al.) |
Notes: CDC NHANES figures are symptom-based (PHQ-9, past-2-weeks). Gallup figures reflect self-report of clinician diagnosis and current treatment. ADAA/DBSA items largely cite NIMH/CDC estimates.
Key Takeaways
In 2025, around 13–29% of U.S. adults report experiencing depression.
Young people and women have the highest rates: about 19% of teens and 36.7% of women report depression.
Depression often co-occurs with anxiety – nearly half of those with depression also have an anxiety disorder.
Most people with depression (about 88%) report significant impairment in daily life, yet many do not get treatment. Only 43.0% of affected women and 33.2% of men received counseling or therapy in the past year.
The economic and social costs are huge: depression is a leading cause of disability and costs the U.S. over $63 billion in lost productivity annually.
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the U.S., and recent data show its prevalence has been increasing. Understanding the numbers helps highlight where help is needed most. For a broader view of mental health trends in 2025, see our posts on Mental Health Statistics 2025 and anxiety statistics 2025.
Prevalence of Depression
Recent surveys and studies highlight that roughly 1 in 8 to 1 in 10 Americans are experiencing depression symptoms at any given time. A 2025 CDC analysis of 2021–2023 data found that 13.1% of Americans aged 12 and older reported depressive symptoms over the previous two weeks. This rate was much higher in adolescents (19.2% of those aged 12–19) and steadily declined with age. These symptoms are measured by standard screenings (PHQ-9), so “depression” here indicates significant mood symptoms that may constitute a major depressive episode.
For more context on lifetime or long-term depression, Gallup’s 2023 national poll found that 29.0% of U.S. adults report having been diagnosed with depression at some point in their life. Meanwhile, 17.8% said they currently have depression or are being treated for it. These figures are the highest recorded in Gallup’s trend since 2015, reflecting a sustained rise. Gallup also notes that annual prevalence (a similar measure) was about 8.3% in 2021 (21 million adults), based on the U.S. government’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The variation in these percentages comes from different definitions and time frames (two-week symptoms, past-year episodes, or lifetime diagnoses), but all sources show depression is common and growing.
Who is Most Affected
Age: Younger Americans are much more likely to report depression. The CDC data (2021–23) show 26.5% of teenage girls (ages 12–19) had depressive symptoms, compared to 12.2% of teenage boys. Among all adults, those 18–25 had the highest past-year depression rate at 18.6%. By contrast, only about 8–9% of adults over 60 reported depression. These patterns suggest today’s youth face a much greater mental health burden.
Gender: Women report depression at far higher rates than men. Gallup’s 2023 poll shows 36.7% of women have ever been diagnosed with depression versus 20.4% of men. Among those currently depressed, 23.8% of women vs 17–18% of men are affected. Similarly, the CDC found 16.0% of women vs 10.1% of men had recent depression symptoms. This gender gap has widened, possibly due to pandemic-related stresses affecting women disproportionately.
Race/Ethnicity: According to 2021 NIMH data, rates vary by race, with multiracial adults highest (13.9%) and Asian adults lowest (4.8%). However, more recent Gallup polling indicates that depression rates among Black and Hispanic adults have been rising faster and have caught up or exceeded White adults’ rates. This may reflect pandemic impacts and social factors.
Impact and Severity
Depression has severe consequences for daily life. The CDC report notes that 87.9% of people with depressive symptoms reported at least some difficulty with work, school, family, or social activities due to those symptoms. In other words, nearly nine in ten Americans with depression find it interferes significantly with their lives.
Treatment access remains limited. Among adults with depression, only 43.0% of women and 33.2% of men said they had received counseling or therapy in the past year. This suggests many struggling people are not getting professional help, and women are somewhat more likely to seek or receive care. Co-occurring disorders also complicate recovery: about half of those with depression also have an anxiety disorder, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Such comorbidity can worsen symptoms and make treatment more complex.
Economic and Social Costs
The toll of depression extends beyond individuals to the economy. Depression (and related mood disorders) is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance reports that depression costs the nation roughly $63 billion per year in lost workplace productivity. In addition, depression contributes to high rates of absenteeism and unemployment: adults with mental illness are 3–5 times more likely to be unemployed than those without. The same report also notes that more than half of students with mental health disorders drop out of high school, further impacting society.
Trends Over Time
All the data indicate a rising trend in depression. The CDC found that depression prevalence has increased from the early 2010s to the 2021–23 period. Gallup similarly shows a jump: the lifetime depression diagnosis rate rose from ~20% in 2015 to 29% in 2023. Experts link this rise to factors like the COVID-19 pandemic (which caused social isolation and stress), economic uncertainty, and greater awareness and screening.
Key Groups and Considerations
Young Adults and Teens: This group has seen the steepest increase. Isolation from online schooling and lack of social interaction may be factors. Programs targeting youth mental health are critical.
Women: Often juggling work, childcare, and economic pressures, women have experienced higher rates of depression, especially during pandemic-related shutdowns. Support and accessible care for women remain priorities.
Racial/Ethnic Minorities: Elevated stress from social factors and job loss have led to rising depression rates among Black and Hispanic Americans. Culturally competent mental health resources are needed.
Co-Occurring Anxiety: Given that nearly 1 in 2 depressed individuals also suffer anxiety, it’s important for treatment to address both conditions.
FAQs
Q: What percentage of Americans have depression?
Estimates vary by measure: about 13% had significant symptoms in a recent 2-week period 8.3% had a major depressive episode in the past year, and 29% report ever being diagnosed. The differences reflect how “depression” is defined.
Q: Has depression become more common?
Yes. Recent surveys show U.S. depression rates are higher now than a decade ago. For example, lifetime depression diagnoses in Gallup polling rose from ~20% in 2015 to 29% in 2023, and CDC data indicate an overall increase from 2013–14 to 2021–23.
Q: Who is most at risk for depression?
Women and young people report the highest rates. In 2023, about 36.7% of women vs 20.4% of men reported a depression diagnosis. Those ages 12–25 have the highest age-specific rates (up to 19.2% for teens and 18.6% for young adults).
Q: Do most people with depression get help?
No. While depression often impairs daily life (88% report difficulty), only 43.0% of affected women and 33.2% of men received therapy or counseling in the past year. Barriers include stigma, cost, and access.
Q: How does depression relate to anxiety?
They frequently co-occur. Nearly half of people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Clinicians often screen for both, since treating one can help the other.
Q: What are the financial impacts of depression?
Huge. Depression leads to lost work productivity and higher medical costs. U.S. estimates put the annual cost of depression-related lost productivity at around $63 billion. It is also the leading cause of disability claims in the country.
For more mental health insights, see related posts on Mental Health Statistics 2025 , Anxiety Statistics 2025 and PTSD Statistics in the U.S.: Prevalence, Gender Differences & Impact
Sources: Latest U.S. data from the CDC, Gallup, NIMH/NSDUH, ADAA, and DBSA (2025).
