Trends in age‐sex‐specific prevalence and incidence of antidepressant dispensation in the Nordic countries: a systematic review

Differences in antidepressant dispensation across the Nordic countries have been reported, but existing reviews are based on older data. We conducted a systematic review of population-based studies reporting prevalence and/or incidence of antidepressant dispensation in the Nordic countries. Embase, PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies published between 1 January 2000 and 1 October 2025. Of 2728 screened records, 30 studies with data from 1994 to 2021 were included. Comparisons with Finland and Iceland were not possible due to outdated data. Antidepressant dispensation rates were higher in Sweden than in Denmark and Norway, with differences increasing over time, largely driven by rising rates in Sweden. This pattern was observed across age groups and sexes but was most pronounced among children and adolescents, particularly girls. The most recent data showed approximately 2.0-5.6 times higher prevalence and incidence of antidepressant dispensation in Sweden compared with Denmark and Norway. In 2021, the prevalence per 1000 population among 15- to 19-year-olds was 87.9 for girls and 34.7 for boys in Sweden, compared with 35.8 for girls and 14.5 for boys in Denmark and 31.6 for girls and 12.5 for boys in Norway, with a similar pattern for incidence. For adults, the prevalence pattern was similar, although incidence data were lacking. These findings underscore the need for analytical studies examining factors underlying temporal trends and cross-national differences in antidepressant dispensation, including incidence trends among adults, as well as updated population-based studies from Finland and Iceland to enable comprehensive Nordic comparisons.