Dominican Republic leads global mental well-being rankings post-pandemic

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic has secured the top position in global rankings for mental well-being, as revealed in a “concerning” global report examining emotional recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental well-being, defined as an individual’s capacity to navigate life’s normal stresses and adversities while contributing productively to society, has seen a halt in decline, but a complete recovery to pre-pandemic levels is yet to be realized.

Detailed findings from the report indicate that the Dominican Republic achieved a score of 91 out of 100 points on the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ), attributed to its relaxed and straightforward lifestyle. The country also scored high in cleanliness and safety among Caribbean nations.

Researchers from the U.S.-based think tank Sapien Labs noted a unique trend: the most economically challenged countries in Africa and Latin America scored highest, while wealthier nations recorded lower scores, contrary to previous beliefs linking wealth to well-being. Factors such as excessive cell phone use, fast-food consumption, and erosion of friendships were associated with these scores.

The top 10 countries in mental well-being include the Dominican Republic, followed by Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Panama, Malaysia, Nigeria, Venezuela, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Uruguay.

The study emphasizes that younger individuals exhibited a trend of poorer mental well-being compared to other age groups.

On the lower end of the scale, countries such as Tajikistan, Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan ranked at the bottom, experiencing declines in mood and self-esteem.