Incidence, recurrence and comorbidity of anxiety disorders in four major developmental stages.

•A 16-year longitudinal study on the incidence, recurrence and comorbidity rates of anxiety disorders during childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood, and adulthood.•The incidence of anxiety disorders was significantly higher in childhood and adulthood than in adolescence and emerging adulthood.•Female gender was associated with first incidence.•The presence of anxiety disorders during childhood and adolescence significantly increased the probability of having an anxiety during emerging adulthood.