Key Facts About Children's Anxiety

• In 2023, more than 5.3 million adolescents ages 12-17 years (20.3% of adolescents) had a current, diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition (anxiety, depression, or behavior/conduct problems). Anxiety was the most common condition (16.1%; 853,300), followed by depression (8.4%; 445,200) and behavior/conduct problems (6.3%; 333,900). About 1 in 5 adolescents have a current, diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition. [Source]
• A greater proportion of females had diagnosed anxiety (20.1% vs. 12.3%) and depression (10.9% vs. 6.0%), while a greater proportion of males had diagnosed behavior/conduct problems (8.2% vs. 4.3%). [Source]
• Between 2016 and 2023, the prevalence of diagnosed mental or behavioral health conditions among adolescents increased 35 percent (from 15.0% to 20.3%). The prevalence of diagnosed anxiety increased 61 percent (from 10.0% to 16.1%) and depression increased 45 percent (from 5.8% to 8.4%); the prevalence of diagnosed behavior/conduct problems was stable. [Source]

Topics We Cover

1. Is Anxiety In Children Increasing?
2. What Percent of Gen Z Has Anxiety?
3. What Is Gen Z's Biggest Fear?

Is Anxiety In Children Increasing?

Yes. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of children experiencing anxiety was on the rise. In 2012, approximately 11.6% of kids had an anxiety disorder—already a 20% increase since 2007. During the pandemic, those numbers nearly doubled to 20.5% of youth worldwide reporting anxiety symptoms (according to a meta-analysis in JAMA Pediatrics). Stressors such as social isolation, missed milestones, increased family tension, and larger societal issues (e.g., school shootings, political unrest, and the war in Ukraine) have contributed to this escalation. [Source]

What Percent of Gen Z Has Anxiety?

While exact percentages can vary by survey, the data provided from Harmony Healthcare IT shows that nearly 3 in 4 Gen Zers (ages 18 to 24) reported the pandemic negatively impacted their mental health. Although not every individual experiencing negative mental health effects meets full clinical criteria for an anxiety disorder, these findings underscore that a significant portion of Gen Z is grappling with anxiety or related concerns. [Source]

What Is Gen Z's Biggest Fear?

According to the survey results [Source]:

• 65% of Gen Z students fear not having enough money to live comfortably.
• 61% worry about being stuck in a job that doesn’t bring fulfillment.
• 54% fear not reaching their full potential.
• 41% are afraid of not making a difference in the world.

Overall, Gen Z’s greatest fear centers on financial insecurity. Many also worry about finding purpose and satisfaction in their careers and lives—anxiety that can feed into, and be fueled by, broader mental health challenges.