UAE tops MENA region in best mental health for elderly

In the Mental State of the World Report 2024, measured by the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out for having the best mental state for adults aged 55+ in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region - and one of the healthiest across the world. With an MHQ score of 112.5, the country ranks among the top 20 globally, alongside Singapore, Malaysia, and Finland.

UAE and Finland are the only Arab and European countries in this MHQ range, respectively.

The annual report, released by Sapien Labs - a global leader in mental health research - surveys internet-enabled populations. Participants from the UAE began contributing to the report in 2021, with their numbers increasing by 57% in this survey compared to last.

The country joined nine other Arab countries whose combined input accounted for 10% of more than 1 million responses captured in 2023 and 2024 across 82 countries.

The data on mind health status is measured using the MHQ, which reflects the ability to navigate life’s challenges and function productively.

Results in this report were consolidated into two age groups - younger adults (18-34) and older adults (55+) - where outcomes diverged significantly.

Global findings showed that while older adults demonstrated strong mental resilience, younger generations experienced a sharp decline in mind health and wellbeing, which reflects the lingering COVID-19 pandemic impact, with no signs of recovery.

In the UAE, participating younger adults scored 16.8% better than the global average, with an MHQ of 44.4 - yet it remains low, pointing to a pressing need for collective action across the Arab World and globally.

For the overall population, the UAE recorded an MHQ of 65.7, faring 4.6% better than the global peers average and ranking fourth in MENA, buoyed by the 55+ adults exceptionally strong MHQ and the 35-44 and 45-54 adults who scored 70 and 90.9 MHQ, 21% and 23% above global averages, respectively.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai: In the Mental State of the World Report 2024, measured by the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out for having the best mental state for adults aged 55+ in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region - and one of the healthiest across the world. With an MHQ score of 112.5, the country ranks among the top 20 globally, alongside Singapore, Malaysia, and Finland.

UAE and Finland are the only Arab and European countries in this MHQ range, respectively.

The annual report, released by Sapien Labs - a global leader in mental health research - surveys internet-enabled populations. Participants from the UAE began contributing to the report in 2021, with their numbers increasing by 57% in this survey compared to last.

The country joined nine other Arab countries whose combined input accounted for 10% of more than 1 million responses captured in 2023 and 2024 across 82 countries.

The data on mind health status is measured using the MHQ, which reflects the ability to navigate life’s challenges and function productively.

Results in this report were consolidated into two age groups - younger adults (18-34) and older adults (55+) - where outcomes diverged significantly.

Global findings showed that while older adults demonstrated strong mental resilience, younger generations experienced a sharp decline in mind health and wellbeing, which reflects the lingering COVID-19 pandemic impact, with no signs of recovery.

In the UAE, participating younger adults scored 16.8% better than the global average, with an MHQ of 44.4 - yet it remains low, pointing to a pressing need for collective action across the Arab World and globally.

For the overall population, the UAE recorded an MHQ of 65.7, faring 4.6% better than the global peers average and ranking fourth in MENA, buoyed by the 55+ adults exceptionally strong MHQ and the 35-44 and 45-54 adults who scored 70 and 90.9 MHQ, 21% and 23% above global averages, respectively.