🍹 Tequila on the Rocks. 2x Antidepressant Use. Teachers.

Yia Sas 🏛️

Young people are reporting deteriorating mental health after the pandemic. Consequently, since the COVID-19 outbreak, the dispensing rate of antidepressants in the US has risen nearly 64%, faster than normal. The UN has issued a global alert over teacher shortages, as the world urgently needs 44M teachers by 2030 to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality.

Today's Topics

• 🧑‍🏫 Teachers. Teacher workforce grows, but only in specific segments
• 🍹 Tequila. Tequila exports fall after 14 years
• 💊 Antidepressants. Antidepressant use grows 2x in the UK, Portugal and South Korea

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🧑‍🏫 Teacher Workforce Grows, but Only in Specific Segments

The teaching workforce has experienced a 60% growth since 2000, currently comprising around 100 million teachers globally. The most substantial growth was observed in the pre-primary and tertiary sectors, with a 144% and 109% increase, respectively. While the primary sector possesses the largest share of teachers, it has seen the slowest growth, only reaching 35% since 2000.

As of 2022, the primary education student count was 770M, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 22.8 students. However, this ratio varies globally, with disparities between high- and low-income countries. School enrolments are increasing globally, along with the number of children currently out of school meaning that the growth in the teaching workforce is insufficient to meet the demand.

🍹 Tequila Exports Fall After 14 Years

Tequila exports have seen their first fall in 14 years. The popularity of tequila grew from 2009 onward, primarily in the US market. The surge led to Tequila surpassing American whiskey in terms of value, becoming the second most valuable spirit in the US after vodka. This growth is driven by a growing appreciation for high-quality spirits and demand for specialized artisanal products that appeal to many discerning palates, resulting in the premiumization of tequila. In addition, extended aging, the use of premium agave (100% blue agave), and the launch of celebrity tequila brands have driven consumer demand. Similar trends are evident in gin and whiskey as well.

The rising momentum came to a halt in 2023 when, after 14 years, exports saw a 4% decline, reaching 401M liters from 418M liters. The primary reason behind this decline is an agave shortage, the key ingredient in tequila, resulting in reduced production. Nevertheless, preferences have not changed, and the demand for tequila still remains strong.

💊 Antidepressant Use 2x in the UK, Portugal and South Korea

Antidepressant use has surged in several European countries. Notably, usage of the drug in the UK and Portugal has doubled since 2010, reaching nearly 140 daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants. High levels of social isolation due to the pandemic and rising living costs have placed an immense burden on mental health. Coupled with an overused healthcare system, more people are dependent on antidepressants as a coping mechanism.

However, not all of Europe is following the same trend. For instance, Hungary's antidepressant use has been relatively stable throughout the years. Moving beyond Europe, we see that South Korea is also grappling with a surging use of antidepressants, which has doubled since 2010. This is likely due to its citizens facing long work hours, resulting in high alcohol consumption, which has been shown to directly correlate with declining mental health.

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