Demographics
- According to the Arab American Institute:
- There are at least 3.7 million Americans of Arab descent.
- Nearly 82% of Arabs in the U.S. are citizens.
- The largest Arab American population is Lebanese, followed by “Other Arab” and Egyptian.
- The number of Arab Americans grew 30% between 2010 and 2022.
- Two out of three Arab Americans live within the following states: California, Michigan, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
- One out of three Arab Americans live in metropolitan Los Angeles, Detroit, or New York City.
- While Islam is most often the faith associated with those of Arab descent in the Western world, only about 25% of Arab Americans consider themselves Muslim, while an estimated 63–77% identify as Christians.
- California is home to one of the largest populations of Afghan and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities in the U.S.
- The number of Arabic speakers in the U.S. has increased dramatically in the last four decades, and roughly two-thirds of Arabic speakers in the U.S. are immigrants.
Prevalence
Research on Arab American mental health is limited and does not include an overall number of Arab Americans with mental health conditions. Given this gap in mental health data, we can piece together portions of the overall picture using what we do have.
- Post-9/11, there was a dramatic increase in discrimination against Arab Americans, leading to increased psychological distress, lower levels of happiness, and worse health status.
- A 2018 study in Southeast Michigan found higher rates of depression in Arab Americans who were refugees than those who had immigrated to the U.S.
- Individuals from war-affected countries are at a higher risk of PTSD and diminished mental health, including those from Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Yemen.
- In a 2021 study, 60% of Arab American participants screened positively for depression.
- Arab American immigrants ages 55+ have shown higher rates of loneliness and isolation than those born in the U.S.
- Arab Americans have reduced odds of alcohol consumption, binge drinking, and suicidal ideation compared to non-Hispanic whites.
- Arab Americans born and raised in the U.S. tend to have better mental health outcomes compared to their immigrant counterparts.
- Compared to white non-Arab and Middle Eastern American (AMEA) college students, AMEA students reported being less likely to share their diagnosis of depression or anxiety, attend therapy, or receive medication for a mental health diagnosis.
Take a mental health test
If you or a friend are struggling with your mental health, take an anonymous, free, and private mental health test. It only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished, you will be given information about the next steps you can take based on the results.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
