This study presents the most recent data on the incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to anxiety disorders across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region from 1990-2021, analysed by sex, age, and sociodemographic index (SDI).

We assessed the burden of anxiety disorders using data sourced from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. The estimates of prevalence, DALYs, and YLDs are provided as numbers and age-standardised rates, accompanied by their 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).

In 2021, the age-standardised point prevalence of anxiety disorders in the region was 5.95 thousand, with an incidence rate of 883.4 per 100,000. The number of YLDs in 2021 reached 4.5 million. From 1990 to 2021, the burden of anxiety disorders increased significantly. Lebanon had the highest burden in 2021. Among both sexes, the 10–14 age group had the highest incidence rate, while the 15–19 age group had the highest prevalence and YLD rates. In 2021, most age groups in the MENA region had YLD rates that were higher than the global average.

This study highlights the urgent need for a multidisciplinary approach to prevent and manage anxiety disorders. Ensuring accessible and affordable treatment options for all affected individuals is crucial. Governments should prioritise supporting programmes to effectively address mental health issues, given the unique socioeconomic and geopolitical challenges in the MENA region. By including effective preventive methods alongside treatment in healthcare strategies, the burden of anxiety disorders can be significantly reduced.