On July 27, 2026, South Korean media outlet Money Today reported international survey results indicating that the level of mental well-being (mental health) among South Koreans ranks low among 18 major countries.

According to the article, the British newspaper Daily Mail reported on the 23rd (local time) the results of a survey on mental health conducted by insurance company AXA and market research firm Ipsos, targeting approximately 19,000 adults (18 to 75 years old) in 18 major countries. The survey found that Japan had the lowest level of mental well-being, with South Korea coming in as the second worst. The UK ranked 3rd, where more than one in three adults responded that "their mental state is not good," and about 30% reported experiencing severe anxiety or depressive symptoms.

Money Today's article stated that "South Korea and Japan were classified as countries with worse mental health conditions than the UK," conveying the possibility that South Korea's mental health issues are at a serious level even in international comparisons.

In the survey, participants were asked for their self-assessment of their mental state, as well as whether they had experienced anxiety, depression, chronic stress, etc., and based on those results, each country's mental well-being index was calculated. Thailand had the highest level of mental well-being, followed by Switzerland in 2nd place. The United States ranked 6th out of 18 countries.

In response to this article, South Korean netizens commented, "It's understandable that Japan and South Korea are at the lowest level," "South Korea is a competitive and oppressive society where stress only increases," "Concerns about money and work are too great," "Not only young people but also middle-aged and older people lack mental resilience," and "South Korea is a society where people work too much and cannot rest."

Other opinions included: "It's hard to feel that things will surely work out when it comes to career issues, future financial anxieties, and family problems. There's a social structure and atmosphere where people feel like if they fail somewhere, it's all over." "The spread of SNS has increased opportunities to compare oneself with others, which probably also has an effect. SNS only shows the fulfilling aspects, and there are many excessively malicious comments. You can't stay positive constantly seeing those kinds of things." "I feel that Japan and South Korea have a servile atmosphere that dislikes kindness when compared to others." "It shows that economic growth alone does not lead to happiness." "Shouldn't the South Korean government enhance its support for mental health? There's strong prejudice against visiting psychiatrists, and it feels like the concept of mental health is being neglected by the country as a whole." (Translation/Editing by Higuchi)