Researchers from Chunnan University in South Korea examined antidepressant use across 22 nations using health-system data. The study, published in the European Journal of Public Health, revealed that Iceland, Canada, and Portugal had among the highest rates of antidepressant prescriptions. The analysis focused on two major drug categories: tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are among the most commonly prescribed medications for mood disorders.
Across the surveyed countries, Iceland stood out with the largest number of prescriptions per capita. Experts cited factors beyond climate, such as the affordability and accessibility of medications, as possible drivers behind Iceland’s high utilization. Canada and Portugal also appeared near the top of the list, indicating notable levels of antidepressant use in these populations. The United States ranked fifth, while the United Kingdom appeared in seventh place in the study’s comparison of per-capita prescription rates. The findings prompt careful interpretation given differences in healthcare systems, prescribing practices, and cultural attitudes toward mental health across countries.
On the other end of the spectrum, South Korea reported the lowest antidepressant prescription rate among the studied nations. Data indicated that roughly 27 individuals per 1,000 people received antidepressant treatment in a given year. Researchers suggested that stigma surrounding mental health, reluctance to seek help, and possible underdiagnosis contribute to the lower observed rates in this country. This contrast underscores how social and systemic barriers can shape treatment patterns just as much as medical need.
These results align with prior research highlighting the complexity of depressive disorders and the risks associated with leaving them untreated. Access to care, public awareness, and sociocultural norms all influence how freely people pursue diagnosis and treatment. In the broader context, clinicians emphasize that medication is one component of a comprehensive strategy that may also include psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and social support. The study’s authors note that direct comparisons of prescription counts must consider variations in health systems, prescribing guidelines, and population health factors across nations. See the European Journal of Public Health for the full study details and methodology .
In discussing these findings, health policymakers and practitioners stress the importance of balanced, evidence-based approaches to mood disorder management. They advocate for clear patient education about medication benefits and potential side effects, along with efforts to reduce stigma and improve access to non-pharmacological treatments. The goal is to ensure that those who need help can obtain appropriate care in a timely manner, while avoiding overreliance on medication where other interventions could be equally or more effective. This nuanced perspective helps explain why prescription patterns vary so widely between countries and within different regions of the same country. For a more detailed examination, see the cited European Journal of Public Health article .