Research conducted by University College London (UCL) alongside the National Children's Bureau (NCB) found that boys and girls have similar emotional problems from infancy up until the age of 11.
However, by age 14, 18 per cent of girls were reported to have symptoms of depression and anxiety, compared with 12 per cent of boys.
Asked about their own mental health at age 14, 24 per cent of girls exhibited signs of depression, compared with nine per cent of boys.
Dr Praveetha Patalay, lead author of the study from UCL, said the findings highlight "the increasing mental health difficulties faced by girls today compared to previous generations".
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