📊 Psychology in Latin America

Argentines have embraced talking to psychologists. Other Latin Americans...not so much.

Welcome to Latinometrics. We bring you Latin American insights and trends through concise, thought-provoking data visualizations.

Don’t forget to check out the comment of the week at the bottom!

🧠 Psychology

When’s the last time you considered seeing somebody for a psychological issue you were facing? When’s the last time you brought up the subject to a friend, or heard them share their experience with therapy?

If you just answer Pshh…never, you’re not alone. Mental illness or health issues remain taboo in many cultures, only discussed when something terrible happens.

But that isn’t the case everywhere. In fact, Argentines prioritize mental health like no other people.

Argentina and Costa Rica Have the Most Psychologists Worldwide

According to the World Health Organization, there are 223 practicing psychologists per 100K people in Argentina, well ahead of the global average.

In second place worldwide is another Latin American country, Costa Rica. What makes these numbers doubly surprising is the extent to which both countries deviate from the regional norm.

Experts believe that Argentina's high concentration of psychologists is due to its open culture, which makes no distinction between physical and mental health. Unlike in many societies, Argentines generally do not stigmatize therapy. And thanks to solid demand, psychologists don't struggle to find employment; about 84% secure a job within their first year after graduation—something we’re sure drives many other industries jealous.