Prevalence of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Among Medical Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Medical students are exposed to intense academic and clinical demands that make them particularly vulnerable to psychological distress. Increasing evidence suggests a high burden of stress, anxiety, and depression in this population, which may adversely affect both personal well-being and professional development. Objective: To estimate the pooled prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among medical students through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted for studies published up to December 2025. Observational studies reporting the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and/or depression among medical students were included. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots. Results: A total of 110 studies involving approximately 120,000 medical students were included. The pooled prevalence of depression was 27.2% (95% CI: 24.7–29.9), anxiety was 33.8% (95% CI: 29.2–38.7), and stress was approximately 50% (range: 39–62%). Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies. Higher prevalence rates were noted among female students and those in clinical years. Conclusion: Stress, anxiety, and depression are highly prevalent among medical students worldwide, highlighting a significant and persistent mental health burden. These findings underscore the need for early identification, targeted interventions, and systemic changes within medical education to promote student well-being.