Young people are unhappier than older people today, according to a study: Why?

The most recent Global Flourishing Study (GFS) , conducted by researchers at Harvard and Baylor , along with Gallup, raises a warning about the well-being of young people around the world.

According to the results, on average only one in three people between 18 and 29 years old say they feel satisfied with their life , while among those over 60 years old, that proportion increases to more than one in two.

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This finding breaks with the historical pattern known as the 'U-shaped curve of happiness,' according to which satisfaction levels were highest in youth, fell in middle age, and rebounded in old age.

Now, in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina , the curve has reversed: young people score 10 to 15% lower in overall well-being than older adults.

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A heterogeneous panorama

The data show significant variations. In the United Kingdom, for example, only 25% of 18- to 24-year-olds report being satisfied with their lives , one of the lowest figures in the developed world. In contrast, in Asian countries such as Japan and Hong Kong, the traditional U-shaped pattern still holds.

In other regions, such as India, Kenya and Tanzania , flourishing progressively declines with age, suggesting that cultural and economic dynamics play a determining role in the perception of well-being .

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Why are young people less happy?

The report identifies several reasons behind this decline in youth happiness:

- Mental health: More than 4 in 10 young people surveyed report having faced anxiety or depression in the past year.

- Social relationships: Nearly 35% of young people say they don't have anyone they fully trust.

- Uncertain future: Around 40% express constant concern about their economic and employment situation, much more than older adults.

The study's figures show that lower happiness among young people is not a passing phenomenon, but rather reflects structural conditions that limit their well-being.

PORTFOLIO