By Bahk Eun-ji
The number of people in their 20s suffering from depression has nearly doubled in the last five years, according to data submitted to Rep. Lee Tae-kyu of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), Friday.
According to the data, 98,434 people in their 20s were treated for depression last year, nearly double from 2014's 49,975.
The total number of patients treated for depression in all age groups was 751,930 in 2018, up 28 percent from 588,155 in 2014.
By age, those in their 60s topped the list with 133,712, followed by those in their 50s with 129,255 and 70s with 121,193.
Although the number of patients was smaller than in the elderly groups, the increase rates for teenagers and those in their 20s were sharp. Last year, 42,535 in their 10s were treated, up 78 percent from 23,885 in 2014. The rate for people in their 20s also rose 97 percent during the period and outnumbers those in their 30s.
The medical expenses for depression treatment also increased, as it recorded 332 billion won ($281 million) in 2018, up 48 percent from 2014's 224 billion won.
"Depression is emerging as a social problem, as seen in recent suicides of celebrities who took their own lives out of depression," Rep. Lee said in a statement. "Especially the rise of the depression rate of people in their 20s was attributed to social structural situations such as the tough job market among the young generation, so adequate government action is highly needed to solve the problem."
The number of people in their 20s suffering from depression has nearly doubled in the last five years, according to data submitted to Rep. Lee Tae-kyu of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), Friday.
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| The number of people in their 20s suffering from depression has nearly doubled in the last five years, the government data showed Friday. /Gettyimagesbank |
The total number of patients treated for depression in all age groups was 751,930 in 2018, up 28 percent from 588,155 in 2014.
By age, those in their 60s topped the list with 133,712, followed by those in their 50s with 129,255 and 70s with 121,193.
Although the number of patients was smaller than in the elderly groups, the increase rates for teenagers and those in their 20s were sharp. Last year, 42,535 in their 10s were treated, up 78 percent from 23,885 in 2014. The rate for people in their 20s also rose 97 percent during the period and outnumbers those in their 30s.
The medical expenses for depression treatment also increased, as it recorded 332 billion won ($281 million) in 2018, up 48 percent from 2014's 224 billion won.
"Depression is emerging as a social problem, as seen in recent suicides of celebrities who took their own lives out of depression," Rep. Lee said in a statement. "Especially the rise of the depression rate of people in their 20s was attributed to social structural situations such as the tough job market among the young generation, so adequate government action is highly needed to solve the problem."
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