Antidepressant use among South Korea's youngest children is rising at the fastest rate, according to a study by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The analysis, released in March 2025, found that prescriptions for patients under the age of 9 increased by 22.8% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This was the highest growth rate among all age groups.
The total number of antidepressant users in South Korea reached approximately 1.34 million in 2023, a 10.3% increase from 2022. While adults in their 40s and 50s still constitute the largest user base, the steep rise in prescriptions for very young children has raised significant public health concerns. Experts cited in reports link the trend to heightened academic and social pressures, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic's long-term effects on mental health.
Health authorities have acknowledged the issue, emphasizing the need for improved mental health screening and non-pharmacological interventions for children. The data underscores a growing national conversation about youth mental health and the societal pressures contributing to early-onset depression and anxiety.
