As we move through summer, we wanted to share how the year is shaping up so far in terms of wellbeing. Drawing on the latest global data, this Wellity blog outlines key trends and emerging patterns across mental health, physical activity, sleep, and social connection.
Mental Health: Persistent Global Burden, Expanding Access
Mental health continues to represent a major global health challenge. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety and depression remain approximately 18% more prevalent worldwide than before the pandemic. Mental health conditions now account for 1 in every 6 years lived with disability globally.
Key trends observed so far in 2025 include:
- Youth and young adults remain disproportionately affected, with high rates of anxiety reported across multiple regions, including Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia.
- Workplace stress and burnout continue to impact productivity. A 2025 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that 36% of employees worldwide report significant work-related stress, though uptake of employer-led mental health programmes is rising.
- Use of digital mental health platforms has surged, particularly in middle-income countries where clinical services remain under-resourced. The WHO’s Digital Health Atlas reports a 24% global increase in mental health app usage in the first half of 2025.
Efforts to scale International Advocate for Mental Health IAMH initiatives are expanding, promoting comprehensive, culturally sensitive care models. Despite this progress, barriers remain for many to access appropriate treatment.
Physical Activity: Improvements in Daily Movement, But Inactivity Persists
Global physical activity levels remain below WHO targets. The latest Global Status Report on Physical Activity found that 28% of adults worldwide are not meeting the recommended 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
Recent developments include:
- Growing preference for short, accessible workouts, with video-based exercise, walking groups, and wearable-guided routines increasing in popularity.
- Walking remains the most reported activity globally, followed by home fitness, informal sport, and cycling.
- Urban infrastructure challenges continue to limit consistent movement, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Nutritional behaviours are also shifting:
- Flexitarian and plant-forward diets are expanding globally, driven by climate awareness and health concerns. In 2025, 17% of global consumers regularly reduce meat intake (Euromonitor).
- Interest in the gut-brain axis is growing, with increased consumption of fibre-rich and probiotic foods across regions.
Sleep: Global Awareness Rising, But Habits Lag Behind
Sleep’s importance for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and immune health is increasingly recognised worldwide. However, adequate sleep remains elusive for many.
Key figures:
- The average global sleep duration remains just under 7 hours per night, according to a cross-regional study published in The Lancet Public Health in early 2025.
- Urban populations, shift workers, and digitally connected youth continue to report the poorest sleep quality.
- While 45% of adults globally report efforts to improve sleep hygiene, barriers such as technology use, work stress, and inconsistent routines persist.
Sleep remains under-addressed in most health policies despite its significant impact on long-term wellbeing.
Social Connection: Ongoing Concern Across Age Groups
Social wellbeing is increasingly recognised as a key health determinant. Loneliness remains widespread across income levels and geographies.
Findings from the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC) indicate:
- Between 5% and 12% of adults worldwide report feeling lonely “often” or “always,” with older adults, caregivers, and young people most affected.
- Participation in community volunteering and intergenerational programmes has increased by approximately 9% globally, driven by NGOs, faith groups, and public policies in diverse countries.
Despite growing recognition, large-scale investment in loneliness interventions remains limited.
Summer offers a timely opportunity to assess wellbeing progress. With half the year behind us, patterns and gaps are becoming clearer.
This is a moment for:
- Policymakers to evaluate the reach and effectiveness of national and regional wellbeing strategies,
- Employers to review the impact of mental health and wellness initiatives,
- Individuals and communities to reflect on daily habits and align health goals for the remainder of the year.
Conclusion: A Global Picture of Progress and Gaps
So far in 2025, the global wellbeing landscape shows a combination of advancement and ongoing challenges:
- Mental health conditions remain prevalent, particularly among younger populations, while digital and IAMH programmes expand access.
- Physical activity is gradually increasing through informal and home-based methods, yet inactivity remains widespread.
- Awareness of sleep’s importance is growing, but behavioural change is limited.
- Social isolation affects millions globally, even as community-based solutions gain traction.
Moving forward, emphasis must remain on evidence-based, inclusive, and context-sensitive approaches that effectively support wellbeing across diverse populations.
Sources
- World Health Organization (WHO), Global Mental Health Data Portal – 2025 Update
- International Labour Organization (ILO), Mental Health and Productivity in the Workplace – 2025 Review
- WHO Digital Health Atlas, Mental Health Tool Usage Statistics – 2025
- World Health Organization, Global Status Report on Physical Activity 2025
- Euromonitor International, Global Health and Nutrition Trends – 2025 Edition
- The Lancet Public Health, Global Sleep Duration and Quality Survey – 2025
- Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC), World Loneliness Report – Summer 2025
