A new report has found that people under the age of 30 are facing a mid-life crisis in some parts of the world. The average happiness of young people is declining across the West, leading to the US falling out of the top 20 happiest countries overall for the first time.
According to the report, Lithuania ranks as the top country for young people, with an average happiness rating of 7.6 out of 10. Israel and Serbia follow closely behind in second and third place. Finland has been consistently ranked as the happiest country overall for seven years, but when looking at its young population alone, it falls to seventh place.
The UK is ranked 32nd for young people, with the US at 62nd place. Dr. Lara Aknin, editor of the report, noted that young people in the US and Canada are experiencing dissatisfaction in various areas, including social support, living conditions, stress, trust in government, and perceptions of corruption.
The report also highlights that older generations tend to be happier than younger ones, with baby boomers reporting increased satisfaction with age, while millennials see a decline in happiness ratings as they get older.
Policy-makers are urged to take immediate action in response to the findings, particularly in regions like North America and Western Europe where drops in happiness have been observed. Miika Mäkitalo, CEO of HappyOrNot, credits Finland’s success to societal trust and a healthy work-life balance.
In terms of global rankings, young women were found to be the happiest group overall, with the Middle East and North Africa showing particularly high levels of happiness among young women. Older people in China were reported to be the happiest group in that country.
Overall, the report serves as a reminder for societies to prioritize well-being and happiness, especially among younger generations who are experiencing concerning levels of dissatisfaction.
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