Depressive and anxiety symptoms among adults in Germany: Results from the RKI Panel Health in Germany 2024

Abstract

Background: Telephone surveys show a decline in the mental health of adults in Germany between 2020 and 2023. For 2024, results from the Robert Koch Institute’s new panel ‘Health in Germany’ on depressive and anxiety symptoms are presented and contextualised within existing time series. Methods: Using data from n = 27,102 participants surveyed online or on paper, prevalences were estimated and subgroup differences were examined. Trends for 2014 – 2024 were modelled taking into account methodological discontinuities. Results: In 2024, an estimated 22 % of adults showed depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) and 14 % showed anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 ≥ 10). 8 % of adults had moderately severe to severe depressive or anxiety symptoms (PHQ-9/GAD-7 ≥ 15). Women, younger adults and people with low or medium levels of education were more frequently affected. The burden was particularly high among young women: 47 % showed depressive or anxiety symptoms. The figures for 2024 are significantly higher than those for the previous year; however, these differences appear to be largely due to a change in methodology. Whether the symptom rise observed from 2020 to 2023 continued in 2024 cannot be conclusively assessed owing to this methodological transition. Conclusions: There continues to be a high demand for measures to promote mental health in the population. The establishment of the RKI Panel in the coming years will enable methodologically consistent monitoring of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the future, which is a key prerequisite for the reliable assessment of trends.