Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambique is the highest-ranking Portuguese-speaking country and 12th worldwide in youth mental health among young adults aged 18 to 34, while Brazil ranks among the worst performers and Angola stands out as one of the most spiritual countries, according to a global mental health survey published today.
The Global Mind Health 2025 report, published by Sapien Labs, ranks Mozambique 12th out of 84 countries for mental health among young adults aged 18 to 34, placing it among the best performers both in Africa and worldwide, far ahead of Portugal, which comes 46th.
Angola ranks 25th worldwide, representing a positive performance in the global context, although it is below African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania, which top the list.
Brazil was the worst-ranked Portuguese-speaking country in the study, coming 79th out of 84, while several African nations led the rankings.
The study concludes that, overall, “countries with relatively better mental health are predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa,” while wealthy nations such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany appear among the worst.
The study uses a Mental Health Quotient (MHQ), which measures the ability to face life’s challenges and function productively. It is a composite indicator that combines respondents’ assessments across 47 cognitive, emotional, social, and physical dimensions.
In Angola, one of the most notable factors is the spirituality of young people, with the country ranking 7th out of 69, achieving one of the highest scores globally. Mozambique ranks 9th in the same indicator.
Another factor analysed was family relationships, considered crucial for psychological balance. The study found that young people with weak family ties are four times more likely to experience mental health problems.
Both Mozambique and Angola show relatively low levels of familial closeness among young people, ranking 71st and 78th, a significant contrast given that spirituality and family relationships are two of the main factors influencing mental health.
The study also notes that spirituality is particularly high in Africa, stating that “14 of the countries with the highest spirituality are in Africa,” helping to explain the strong performance of several African countries in youth mental health.
Portugal presents the opposite profile, with relatively low levels of spirituality, ranking 44th in this indicator, but stronger family ties, ranking 18th globally, showing that different cultural and social factors influence mental health differently across countries.
Late access to smartphones is another factor benefiting African countries, including young people in Angola and Mozambique, who received their first phones later than their European peers.
According to the report, “the earlier young people receive smartphones, the higher the likelihood of mental health problems in adulthood,” including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Consumption of ultra-processed foods, higher in Western countries, also contributes to poorer outcomes, as it is linked to increased depression and reduced emotional and cognitive capacity.
Portugal and Brazil are among the countries with the highest consumption of ultra-processed foods, ranking 17th and 27th respectively, while Angola and Mozambique are among the countries with the lowest consumption, ranking 62nd and 73rd.
Globally, the report warns of a growing crisis, especially among young people, noting that “almost half of adults under 35 face significant mental health challenges,” a level four times higher than that of older generations (over 55).
The Global Mind Health report is part of a project measuring global mental health via the internet. It is described as the largest ongoing study of its kind, with data from more than 2.5 million people across 85 countries. The study by Sapien Labs, a United States-based non-profit focused on understanding global mental health, measured a Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) through online surveys conducted across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. This assesses individuals’ “mind health” – defined as the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical capacities essential for thriving in life, work, and relationships.
Source: Lusa
