Objective  To compare the disease burden of depression among Chinese residents in 1990 and 2019 and to provide a reference for the prevention and control of depression.

  Methods  The data on depression in Chinese population in 1990 and 2019 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019). Incidence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and years lived with disability (YLDs) of depression were used to analyze disease burden in 1990 and 2019 and its changing trend during the period.

  Results  Among Chinese residents, the number of incidence and DALYs of depression increased from 31 303 436 cases and 5 486 751 person-years in 1990 to 41 005 280 cases and 7 561 985 person-years in 2019, with an increase of 31.0% and 37.8%; while, the standardized incidence and the standardized DALYs rate of depression decreased from 2 647.72/100 000 and 470.65/100 000 in 1990 to 231.41/100 000 and 416.95/100 000 in 2019. Compared with those in 1990, the number of incidence and DALYs of depression increased by 37.0% and 41.9% among male residents and both the increases were higher than those (27.8%, 35.5%) among female residents; but the standardized incidence rate and DALYs rate declined by 7.8% and 7.6% among male residents and both the decreases were lower than those (16.5% and 14.2%) among female residents. Declines in DALYs rate of depression in 2019 were observed in both male and female residents aged 10 – 49 years but rises in the DALYs rate were found in male and female residents age 50 years and above in comparison with those in 1990. Being the heaviest disease burden of depression among Chinese residents in 1990 and 2019, the DALYs of major depression was 4 006 829 person-years and 5 087 997 person-years, accounting for 73.0% and 67.3% of the total disease burden of depression, respectively. Compared with those in 1990 in Chinese residents, the DALYs rate of major depression and dysthymia increased by 5.7% and 39.1% in 2019, indicating a significantly increased disease burden.

  Conclusion  In 1990 and 2019 in China, the main part of disease burden of depression was contributed to the disease incidents among females but the disease burden of depression also increased among male residents and the middle-aged and elderly residents.