7.2% of European reported suffering from chronic depression in 2019 Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.

7.2% of European reported suffering from chronic depression in 2019 Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock.

One in ten people in Luxembourg admitted suffering from chronic depression in a Eurostat survey in 2019, republished on 10 September on the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day.

The average throughout the EU was 7.2% according to the (EHIS) with the share of people reporting chronic depression being higher for women than men in all EU member states. 

Slovenia (15.1%) had the highest share of its population reporting chronic depression, followed by Portugal (12.2%) and Sweden (11,7%). Romania (1.0%), Bulgaria (2.7%) and Malta (3.5%) found themselves on the bottom of that list.

The survey targeted the population aged at least 15 years and living in private households. It took into account demographic variables (sex, age, education), health status, health care (hospitalisation, medicines) and health determinants (weight and height).

Data is collected using national questionnaires and obtained through face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, self-administered questionnaires, or by a combination of these means.

The results from 2019 represent the third wave of the EHIS. A fourth one will be conducted in 2025 as the assessment is carried out every six years.