Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 53 4 2024 04 08 785 798 EN Jiaxian Shao School of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China Yuncong Yu School of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China Cheng Cheng WeiFang Mental Health Center, Weifang, Shandong, China Min Gao School of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China Xiaona Li School of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China Dongping Ma School of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China Wenqiang Yin School of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China Zhongming Chen School of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China 2023 06 13 2023 11 26 Background: We aimed to analyze the prevalence of depression among the global public during COVID-19, identify its influencing factors in order to provide reference, and help safeguard public mental health. Methods: A comprehensive literature on global public depression in various countries during the COVID-19 pandemic was obtained through electronic searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and other databases, combined with literature tracing from Dec 2019 to Mar 2023. Then a meta-analysis was conducted using the random effects model by Stata 16.0. The heterogeneity was evaluated by I2. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression analysis were used to explore the sources of heterogeneity and the factors influencing public depression. Egger's test was used to test publication bias. Results: Overall, 68 articles with 234,678 samples were included in the study. Analysis revealed that the overall prevalence of depression among the population during COVID-19 was 32.0% (95% CI: 29.0%-35.0%). Of these, marital status (OR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.47-0.87), presence of infected cases (OR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.82-3.30), and fear of being infected by the virus (OR=9.31, 95% CI: 6.03-14.37) were the main factors influencing people’s depression and the main source of heterogeneity. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among the global public is at a high level during COVID-19. The prevalence of depression among people unmarried, divorced, or widowed, surrounded by infected cases, contact infection cases, and worried about being were higher than others. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/32289 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/32289/8207