Generation Z Shows the Highest Prevalence of Depression in Indonesia in 2023

According to the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) report from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), the prevalence of depression in Indonesia was 1.4% in 2023.

Based on age group, the highest prevalence of depression was experienced by the 15-24 age group, or Generation Z, at 2%.

Although young people have the highest prevalence of depression, only 10.4% seek treatment.

Kemenkes stated that Gen Z individuals who do not receive proper depression treatment will experience more significant social problems, such as worsening illness, suicide, substance abuse, and others.

"Therefore, intervention is needed so that Gen Z with depression can receive appropriate and prompt management," wrote Kemenkes in its report.

The next highest prevalence of depression was experienced by the elderly group aged 75 and over, at 1.9%.

This was followed by the 65-74 age group at 1.6%; the 25-34 age group at 1.3%; the 55-64 age group at 1.2%; and the 45-54 age group at 1.1%.

The age group with the lowest national prevalence of depression was 35-44 years old, at 1%.

Kemenkes assessed depression using the mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI), which consists of 10 questions with closed-ended answers, "yes" and "no".

The questions consist of 3 main symptoms of depression and 7 additional symptoms. If a respondent has 2 main symptoms and 2 additional symptoms, they can be considered to have symptoms of depression.

The Kemenkes survey results were obtained from approximately 345,000 households spread across 38 provinces and 514 regencies/cities in Indonesia in 2023.