The recently released 2024 World Happiness Report has shed light on a concerning trend: a dramatic decline in youth happiness across several nations, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Western Europe and Britain.
Generational Divide in Happiness Levels
While Finland tops the global happiness rankings, thanks to factors like high social support and healthy life expectancy, the United States experienced a significant drop from 15th to 23rd place. However, the report highlights a striking generational divide within the country.
People aged 60 and above in the U.S. reported high levels of well-being, placing the nation in the top 10 countries for happiness in this age group. Conversely, there’s a worrying decrease in self-reported well-being among younger adolescents and young adults aged 30 and below.
Factors Contributing to Declining Youth Happiness
According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a professor of economics and behavioral science at Oxford University, and a co-author of the report, this drop in youth happiness was unexpected. Traditionally, researchers have observed a U-shaped curve in happiness levels, with children and older adults typically reporting higher well-being than middle-aged individuals.
However, the extent to which well-being has fallen among young adults is unprecedented. Ilana Ron-Levey, managing director at Gallup, suggests that factors like climate change concerns, social inequities, and political polarization, amplified by social media, may be weighing heavily on the younger generation’s psyche.
Reasons for Optimism and the Way Forward
Despite the concerning trend, there are reasons for optimism. John Helliwell, a co-author of the study and Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia, points to countries in Eastern Europe where levels of well-being are rising among young people. He attributes this to a new generation’s ability to move beyond past conflicts and focus on building a better future.
As the world grapples with the challenges of declining youth happiness, it is crucial for policymakers, educators, and communities to prioritize mental health support, address societal concerns contributing to this trend, and foster an environment that empowers and uplifts the younger generation.
