[2023 National Audit] Depressed 'Goding Mom'... 55% Increase in Postpartum Depression Patients Over 5 Years

Over the past five years, the number of postpartum depression patients has increased by nearly 55%, highlighting the need for proactive preventive measures.

According to the recent five-year data on postpartum depression patients submitted by the National Health Insurance Service to Shin Hyun-young, a member of the National Assembly's Women and Family Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the number of postpartum depression patients per 1,000 mothers rose from 20.6 in 2018 to 31.9 last year, an increase of 54.8%.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Despite the decrease in the number of mothers, the number of postpartum depression patients is on the rise. The number of mothers decreased by 24%, from 322,242 in 2018 to 244,739 last year, while the number of postpartum depression patients increased by 17.6%, from 6,649 to 7,818 during the same period.

Looking at postpartum depression patients by age group, those aged 19 and under averaged 63.8 patients over the past five years, the highest among all groups. This was followed by those in their 20s with 33.2 patients, and those in their 40s with 27.5 patients. The younger the mother, the higher the number of postpartum depression patients.

The age group with the largest increase in postpartum depression patients over the past five years was also those aged 19 and under. The number rose from 55.7 per 1,000 mothers in 2018 to 107.3 last year, an increase of 92.6%. This was followed by those in their 20s, increasing from 25.3 to 41.7 per 1,000 mothers, a 65.1% rise, and those in their 30s, increasing from 18.9 to 30.0 per 1,000 mothers, a 59.1% increase.

Representative Shin said, "To overcome postpartum depression, active support and empathy from neighbors, family, and friends, as well as strengthened social support throughout the entire process of pregnancy and childbirth for women, are necessary." She added, "Since it is expected that there are more hidden postpartum depression patients, proactive preventive measures and comprehensive treatment should be pursued simultaneously."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.