PH places 6th worldwide in young adults’ mind health
Cristina Eloisa Baclig
Inquirer.net
10 October 2026
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines ranked sixth out of 84 countries in mind health for adults aged 18 to 34, with a Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) score of 59, according to an analysis by Inquirer data scientist Dr. Rogelio Alicor Panao.
Panao analyzed data from Washington-based nonprofit Sapien Labs’ Global Mind Health in 2025 Report, the annual report of the Global Mind Project, which tracks mind health and well-being among internet-enabled populations worldwide.
The report uses the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ), a composite measure based on 47 aspects of mental function across six dimensions: Mood & Outlook, Social Self, Drive & Motivation, Adaptability & Resilience, Cognition, and Mind-Body Connection.
The MHQ ranges from -100 to +200, with scores reflecting a spectrum of mental well-being and functioning.
“Even though the Philippines does not rank among Asia’s wealthiest economies, it appears to fare better than most when it comes to mind health,” said Panao, an associate professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
The Philippines tied with Indonesia in the global ranking and placed ahead of several relatively affluent Asian economies.
South Korea ranked 14th, Malaysia 31st, Singapore 44th, Vietnam 46th, China 80th, Japan 82nd and Taiwan 83rd, while Hong Kong ranked last at 84th.
The Philippines also ranked 16th among adults aged 55 and older, with an MHQ score of 110, Panao said.
Panao clarified that the results do not mean Filipinos are unaffected by mental health problems.
“Although these figures do not imply that Filipinos are impervious to mental health problems, they do suggest that economic prosperity does not always equate with better psychosocial well-being,” he said.
He noted that the report showed a contrast between economic development and mind health, with some countries having high levels of economic development but low mind health scores.
Panao cited Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong as particularly striking examples.
The report also examines several factors that may help explain differences in mind health, including family connections, spirituality, age of first smartphone exposure and consumption of ultra-processed food.
“As to what might explain this, the report points to a number of factors, including weakening family connections, declining spirituality, earlier exposure to smartphones and, believe it or not, greater consumption of ultra-processed food,” Panao said.
The Philippines ranked eighth among respondents aged 18 to 24 in terms of family bonds and fifth among those aged 55 and older, according to Panao’s analysis.
The country’s older population also ranked first in the report’s measure of spirituality.
Panao, however, said the Philippine result comes with an important qualification because the report does not cover the entire population.
“Although the Philippine result is encouraging, there is an important qualification,” he said.
“The report measures internet-enabled populations rather than the entire population of each country,” he added.
According to Panao, the survey is based on self-selection and reaches only people who are online, willing to participate and able to complete a 15-minute questionnaire. /dm
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