Childhood and adolescence are key periods for building good lifelong health habits. Rates of multiple health complaints in children and adolescents can be a marker for overall health and well-being. Good mental health also brings broader social and economic benefits, supporting education and labour market outcomes (OECD, 2025[1]).
According to the latest HBSC data collected in 2021/22, when most countries were still experiencing the COVID‑19 pandemic, over 50% of 15‑year‑olds experienced multiple health complaints such as feeling low or irritable, or head, stomach- or backache (Figure 3.13). The rate of 15‑year‑olds reporting at least two health complaints more than once a week increased from 37% in 2014 to 52% in 2022. In 2022, the highest rates of 15‑year‑olds reporting multiple health complaints were 66% in Italy and Greece. In 2014, the highest rate of 15‑year‑olds reporting multiple health complaints were 53% in Italy and 48% in Bulgaria, followed by 47% in France.
In all countries, girls reported higher rates of multiple health complaints than boys (Figure 3.14). In 2022, 68% of 15‑year‑old girls reported having multiple health complaints in OECD countries, compared to only 36% of boys. The most common health complaints for both genders are those frequently associated with psychological distress (nervousness, irritability, difficulties in getting to sleep, and/or feeling low). School pressure and struggling with family and peer relationships might be among the reasons contributing to increasing health complaints and psychological distress, particularly for girls (Badura et al., 2024[2]).
In 2022, 15‑year‑olds in OECD countries reported an average well-being score of 54; a score above 60 means a respondent feels positive about their well-being more than half of the time (Figure 3.15). The average well-being score in 2022 was 47 for 15‑year‑old girls and 61 for 15‑year‑old boys. The lowest levels of well-being were in Poland and Slovenia. In both countries, the average well-being score was 40 for girls and 54 for boys. However, even in the best performing country – Denmark – the average well-being score for 15‑year‑old girls was only 57 in 2022. Mental health conditions among young people increased during the COVID‑19 pandemic; suicide death rates are declining more slowly among young people than among adults, and some national data point to increases in anxiety and depression in recent years (OECD, 2025[1]; Badura et al., 2024[2]). This potentially concerning trend demands careful monitoring.
Stable family relationships and supportive social environments all contribute to positive mental health and to enhanced feelings of security and self-esteem among young people (OECD, 2025[1]). To support positive health and mental health among adolescents, many countries have implemented school-based interventions to support socio‑emotional learning. The Icehearts programme in Finland focusses on improving prosocial behaviour through team sports, providing long-term mentoring support to socially vulnerable children and adolescents (OECD, 2025[1]). Zippy’s Friends – which is in place in 30 countries worldwide – targets younger children (age 5‑7); it aims to improve emotional literacy, resilience and coping skills, and to help young people navigate challenges through adolescence and adulthood (OECD, 2025[3]). Improving access to evidence‑based mental health services is another way of supporting young people’s mental health. In Belgium, for example, rapid and free access to psychologists is ensured for people under 24, including up to 8 consultations per year for lower level support and 20 consultations for specialised treatments (OECD, 2025[1]).
