A recent report, the Mental State of the World Report, has revealed that African youths exhibit high levels of mental health, alertness, and resilience.
- African youths exhibit high levels of mental alertness and resilience, according to the Mental State of the World Report
- MHQ assessment measures cognitive, emotional, and social well-being, providing insights into global mental health trends
- Tanzania ranks first globally in youth mental well-being with a score above 60
The report, published by the Global Mind Project, analyzed over one million responses on mental health from internet-enabled populations across 76 countries.
The report found a significant decline in mental well-being among 18- to 34-year-olds in high-income nations, with no signs of recovery. However, several African nations demonstrated stronger mental resilience among youths.
Tanzania ranked first globally in youth mental well-being, with a Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) score above 60. Young adults in Nigeria and Kenya also scored relatively high, with MHQ scores in the 50-60 range.
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The deterioration in mental health in high-income nations is marked by difficulties in regulating emotions, controlling thoughts, and maintaining positive relationships.
Key findings
The MHQ assessment is an online survey measuring cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. It provides an overall score reflecting an individual’s ability to handle stress and function productively, offering insights into global mental health trends.
This report highlights the mental health challenges younger adults (18-34) face worldwide, with an average Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) score of 38. While Sub-Saharan African youth show the highest resilience, 41% of young adults globally experience functionally debilitating distress.
The findings suggest that younger generations struggle significantly with cognitive and social functions—such as focus, emotional regulation, and social interactions—at rates 4-5 times higher than older adults.
This decline has been attributed to weakened social connections, early smartphone exposure, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, and environmental toxins.
Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, Founder and Chief Scientist at Sapien Labs, emphasizes Africa’s unique advantage in youth mental resilience. She urges governments to protect this strength as rapid urbanization and digital adoption reshape lifestyles.
According to the report, the table below highlights the top 10 nations where youth lead in mental well-being.
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 1 | Tanzania | 60+ |
| 2 | Nigeria | 60+ |
| 3 | Dominican Republic | 40-50 |
| 4 | Panama | 40-50 |
| 5 | Venezuela | 40-50 |
| 6 | Israel | 40-50 |
| 7 | Angola | 40-50 |
| 8 | Cameroon | 40-50 |
| 9 | Côte d’Ivoire | 40-50 |
| 10 | DR Congo | 40-50 |
The table highlights the dominance of African nations in mental resilience, with Tanzania, Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and DR Congo ranking among the top 10.
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This trend reflects factors such as strong social support networks, later exposure to digital technology, and more face-to-face interactions, which contribute to better cognitive and emotional well-being.
Compared to other regions, African youth benefit from close-knit family structures and communal living, which provide emotional stability.
However, experts caution that rapid urbanization and digital adoption could challenge these advantages in the future.
