A silent crisis is unfolding among middle-aged women in Britain, with a major new study revealing a sharp and worrying increase in depression.
The respected Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has found that more than one in five women in their late 50s and early 60s are now living with symptoms of depression. This marks a significant climb from the mid-2010s, highlighting a growing public health concern.
A Steep and Alarming Climb
The data paints a clear and concerning picture. In the mid-2010s, 15% of women aged 55 to 64 reported depressive symptoms. By the 2023/24 period, this figure had risen sharply to 21%.
The increase has been most severe among the least wealthy. For the poorest third of women in this age group, the rate has skyrocketed from around 30% to a staggering 39% in less than a decade.
This trend stands in stark contrast to their male counterparts. The report found that rates of depressive symptoms among men aged 55 to 64 have remained stable, averaging just 11% over the same period.
The Drivers: Financial Strain and Caring Burdens
Experts point to a potent mix of factors causing this mental health decline. The cost of living crisis and mounting financial pressures as women approach retirement age are considered primary catalysts.
Furthermore, middle-aged women often disproportionately shoulder the responsibility of caring for elderly parents. This dual pressure can force many to reduce their working hours or leave employment altogether, creating additional financial and emotional stress.
Bee Boileau, a Research Economist at the IFS and an author of the report, stated: “Mental health problems are often discussed as a young person’s problem. The rise in mental health problems among women in their late 50s and early 60s in recent years, particularly among poorer women, shows that this is not the whole story.”
Economic Headwinds and a Health Divide
The IFS warns that this decline in mental health has serious implications for the UK economy. The government has a target to increase the employment rate for 16- to 64-year-olds to 80%, but worsening mental health among this key demographic presents a significant obstacle.
This mental health crisis also mirrors a troubling trend in physical health disparities. While mobility problems have improved on average for this age group, the poorest third of women saw no improvement over the last two decades, with around 55% still reporting mobility issues.
Ms. Boileau added a clear warning for policymakers: “Policymakers looking to increase employment for those in the run-up to state pension age – a group for whom there is likely to be significant potential to boost employment rates – should take account of the headwind from worsening mental health for poor women.”
The report underscores that the overall health of women in their late 50s and early 60s remains lower than men's and has shown little improvement, signalling a pressing need for targeted support and intervention.
