Study Finds Younger Generations Are Less Happy Than Previous Ones

The happiness curve is unraveling.

For many years, studies have illustrated that people’s happiness over their lifetime typically follows a U-shaped trajectory. It tends to peak in youth, dip during middle age, and then increase again in older age.

However, recent surveys indicate that young adults today are experiencing less happiness than previous generations, signaling a flattening of this U-shaped curve.

This trend is further supported by a new research published in the journal Nature Mental Health. These initial findings stem from global prosperity research conducted in collaboration with researchers from Harvard and Baylor University.

Data collected by Gallup in 2023 revealed insights from over 200,000 respondents across 20 countries. On average, individuals aged 18 to 29 report challenges not only in happiness but also in physical and mental health, self-esteem, life meaning, relationships, and financial stability. The research combines these factors to assess whether participants achieve a state of prosperity.

The study found that participants reported generally low levels of prosperity until the age of 50, a trend observable in nations like the UK, Brazil, and Australia. Notably, the disparity between younger and older adults was most pronounced in the United States.

“It’s a rather bleak situation,” commented Tyler J. Vanderwielle, the lead author and director of Harvard’s Human Prosperity Program. These findings prompt critical reflections on whether we are sufficiently investing in the well-being of our youth.

Young adulthood has traditionally been viewed as a time of freedom and opportunities, yet research suggests this ideal may not align with the reality faced by many.

According to a 2023 report from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, young adults aged 18-25 in the U.S. reported double the levels of anxiety and depression compared to teenagers. Furthermore, perfectionism has surged among college students. Participation in community organizations, clubs, and religious organizations is declining, leading to increased loneliness among young people, reminiscent of trends seen in older populations.

“Post-study findings indicate that social connections are crucial for happiness, yet young people today spend less time with friends than they did a decade ago,” explained Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast. “Additionally, like individuals of all ages, young people are contending with a myriad of global issues, from climate change to economic and political divisiveness.”

The Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley recently announced Emiliana R. Simon Thomas as its science director. “We need to cultivate happiness without limiting ourselves.”

She believes the prosperity data reflects “the long-term impacts of prioritizing status and power” in the U.S., rather than our role in the broader community.

Dr. Vanderwielle emphasized the complexity of the research, which was conducted across varied economic, political, and cultural contexts. While the study’s geographical scope is broad, current analyses do not include mainland China due to delays in data collection. Moreover, low-income nations are underrepresented.

Not all countries show increased prosperity with age. In some places, such as Poland and Tanzania, prosperity has declined with age, while others, like Japan and Kenya, display a more conventional U-shaped pattern.

Nevertheless, in the majority of Western countries, and many others, young adults do not seem to be flourishing. Global Prosperity Research plans to continue data collection until 2027 to further elucidate these issues, according to Dr. Vanderwielle.

“We recognize that young people are in distress,” said David G. Blanchflower, an economics professor at Dartmouth who was not involved in the prosperity research; his research illustrates a similar trend.

Dr. Blanchflower has collaborated with the United Nations to facilitate discussions at Dartmouth, allowing experts to share insights on addressing these concerning trends.

Numerous theories exist regarding why young individuals are facing such troubles. He suggests that the problems may not solely arise from their constant engagement with screens.

“They’re not alone at home,” he remarked, invoking the dangers of social isolation, a theme explored in a seminal book by Robert D. Putnam published 25 years ago. “In fact, they’re not engaging socially at all.”