Women Have Higher Global Rates of Depression Than Men — But Why?

Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes tend to get a lot of attention when it comes to health topics, but depression and mental illness have just as much of an impact on the world. In fact, depression is the leading cause of disability around the globe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

However, depression doesn’t affect everyone equally. Over 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, but the disorder is twice as common in women, according to WHO.

Beyond the statistics

The numbers may not tell the whole story: Depression is believed to be underdiagnosed in men.

That’s partly because men (especially straight, cisgender men) often experience different depression symptoms than women, and many tend to become irritable and aggressive instead of sad and stressed. Without recognizing their symptoms as depression, men on average are less likely to seek a diagnosis and treatment. (Learn more about gender differences in depression symptoms.)

Additionally, men still face more of a stigma for having depression and getting help, so those who do recognize their symptoms may resist taking action. As a result, many turn to harmful coping mechanisms; for example, alcohol use disorder is more common in men than women, according to WHO.

Why so many women face depression

While the rates of depression may be underrepresented, women are *still* considered more prone to depression. Experts believe this stems from negative stressors that are unique to women.

For example, women are more likely than men to:

• Be a victim of domestic or sexual abuse

• Be the primary caretaker of others

• Experience income inequality

• Or generally lack a sense of autonomy.

These chronic stressors can make some women feel powerless or hopeless, and it may trigger a depressive episode. Although women are more likely to have depression, they are luckily more likely to seek treatment for depression than men. Early intervention of depression may keep the condition from becoming severe and can help lower the risk of death by suicide.

Depression: A cultural problem

Preventing and treating depression among all genders is not just on the shoulders of the individual. Many of the triggers for depression among women are societal in nature, and therefore could be managed with cultural changes.

Women’s risk of depression drops when they have:

• Healthy support systems: It helps when women can remain close to their own families after marriage, build friendships with other women, and join clubs or group hobbies.

• Adequate material resources: Women’s mental health is better when they can obtain good jobs, receive fair pay, own homes, and have access to affordable and healthy food for their families.

• And the power to make decisions about their own lives: Being able to choose one’s partner, if and when to have children, where to live, and what career path (if any) are important decisions, and having autonomy can help reduce the risk of depression for women.

In other words, empowering women may lighten the load of depression around the world.