Income inequality and mental health: divergent associations in Global North and Global South countries

This study examines the relationship between income inequality and mental well-being, conceptualized as the relative absence of psychological distress. Focusing on data from the 2021 International Social Survey Programme, the analysis explores how country-level income inequality, measured by the Gini index, is associated with individual mental well-being in both high-income (Global North) and low- to middle-income (Global South) countries. Multilevel analyses reveal a significant negative association between income inequality and mental well-being in the Global South. In contrast, this association was not statistically significant in the Global North. These findings suggest that higher income inequality is linked to poorer mental well-being, particularly in contexts of greater economic disparity. The study underscores the importance of considering macroeconomic factors like income inequality in public health strategies aimed at promoting mental well-being.