Happiness may be a subjective feeling, but when it comes to measuring it across nations, the numbers paint a telling picture. The latest World Happiness Report reveals a concerning trend: the United States has tumbled out of the top 20 happiest countries, largely due to the declining well-being of its younger population.
For the first time, the U.S. has fallen to 23rd place, a significant drop from 15th last year. This descent is propelled by the stark contrast in happiness levels between age groups. While Americans over 60 are content enough to place the U.S. in the top 10 for their demographic, those under 30 tell a different story, ranking a dismal 62nd.
The report, which is based on data from Gallup and analysis by academics at the University of Oxford, doesn’t pinpoint exact causes but suggests a range of factors are at play. Economic inequality between generations, political polarization, social media overuse, and the daunting challenge of homeownership for the under-30s are all likely contributors to this happiness deficit.
This year’s findings, announced on the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness, are particularly striking because they mark the first time the report has provided separate rankings by age group. The disparities are eye-opening. While Lithuania leads the way for the under-30s, Denmark is the happiest nation for those aged 60 and above.
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a professor of economics and behavioral science at Oxford and one of the report’s editors, expressed his surprise at the precipitous decline in youth well-being in the U.S. and parts of Western Europe. The happiness of the young in these regions is plummeting, in stark contrast to the middle-aged and older demographics, and this is dragging down the overall happiness rankings for these countries.
In the U.S., the well-being of those under 30 is not only below that of the Dominican Republic but also on par with countries like Malaysia and Russia. Canada’s youth are not faring much better, ranking 58th.
The report also highlights a brighter side in central and Eastern Europe, where the young are much happier than their older counterparts, and where happiness levels have seen the largest increases across all age groups. This, according to De Neve, could offer valuable lessons on improving well-being.
Happiness, as the report outlines, is influenced by more than just economic prosperity. Factors such as freedom, life expectancy, and social support play significant roles. Scandinavian countries, with their high levels of trust and equitable wealth distribution, continue to dominate the top spots, with Finland leading the pack.
The U.S. could learn from these nations, where a strong welfare state provides psychological stability and a sense of security. The challenge now is to understand the complexities facing American youth and to create a society where happiness doesn’t decline with age but is a sustained feature of life for all generations.
Addressing the happiness of the youth is not just about improving the present – it’s an investment in the future well-being of our society. The World Happiness Report acts as a wake-up call and a roadmap for nations aiming to create a happier, more inclusive society for all.
Related posts:
The U.S. is no longer one of the 20 happiest countries. If you’re young, you probably know why.
The U.S. is no longer one of the 20 happiest countries. If you’re young, you probably know why.
