Young people today are less happy than they were decades ago

Another global study confirms the trend seen in previous research, showing that young people today are less happy than in past decades. Earlier studies concluded that the happiest periods in a person’s life were during youth (18-29) and again after the age of 50.

The Global Flourishing Study, published Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature Mental Health, was based on Gallup data from 200,000 individuals across 22 countries, mostly from 2023.

According to these findings, young people today are facing a range of challenges, including mental and physical health issues, self-image, the meaning of life, relationship quality, and financial security.

There were countries, such as Poland and Tanzania, where, contrary to the “norm,” well-being declined as people aged.

All these factors contribute to a well-being index, which measures whether each individual in the study lived in a condition where all aspects of life were good. In many countries, particularly in the West, such as Australia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the average well-being of people was low until the age of 50.

However, there were countries like Poland and Tanzania where, contrary to the “norm,” well-being decreased as people aged. In countries like Kenya and Japan, well-being reached its highest points during youth and after the age of 50, as was the case in the past.