About 15% to 20% of teens in the U.S. experience depression, with around 15.1% having a major depressive episode in a given year
. Research shows that approximately 16% of U.S. teens aged 12 to 17 had at least one major depressive episode in 2022, and rates have been rising over the past decade
. Girls are about twice as likely as boys to experience clinical depression
. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates lower rates in adolescents, with about 1.4% of those aged 10–14 and 3.5% of those aged 15–19 experiencing depression, but U.S. figures tend to be higher
. In summary:
- Roughly 15–20% of U.S. teens experience depression by age 17.
- About 15% have a major depressive episode annually.
- Girls are twice as likely as boys to be depressed.
- Nearly 16% of teens had a major depressive episode in 2022.
- Despite high prevalence, many teens do not receive consistent treatment
This indicates a significant portion of teens face depression, highlighting the need for awareness and access to mental health care.
