Survey: Depression, loneliness surge among young and low-income adults

Editor's Note

Depression rates in the US remain at historic highs, affecting more than 47 million adults, with young people and lower-income households experiencing the sharpest increases, a Gallup survey published on September 9 reports. The latest survey shows 18.3% of adults currently report having or being treated for depression, a jump of eight percentage points since 2015 and largely driven by post-pandemic trends.

Adults under 30 have seen rates more than double since 2017, climbing from 13% to 26.7% in 2025. Among adults earning less than $24,000 annually, depression has surged to 35.1%, including a nine-point jump since 2023. Gallup attributes these changes to more young adults beginning adulthood already depressed, and rates rising among those who were already adults.

Loneliness appears to be playing a reinforcing role. Reports of feeling significantly lonely “a lot of the day yesterday” now affect 21% of US adults, the highest level since March 2021. Nearly three in ten adults aged 18 to 29 reported this experience, outpacing all other age groups. Gallup’s research highlights the strong association between loneliness and depression, with one-third of lonely adults also reporting depression compared with just 13% among those who were not lonely.

While greater openness about mental health may contribute to higher reported diagnoses, Gallup notes that structural stressors are also intensifying, particularly for vulnerable populations. Rising costs of healthcare, food insecurity, student debt, and housing instability all contribute to worsening mental health, with many lower-income adults reporting they cannot afford care or medicine.

The impact extends beyond individual well-being. Depression is estimated to cost US employers $23 billion annually due to absenteeism, while poor mental health overall accounts for $48 billion in lost productivity. For perioperative nurse leaders, the findings illustrate the ongoing challenge of supporting both staff and patients who may be navigating heightened mental health needs in an era of sustained social and financial strain.