Young people report more distress, reshaping happiness trends
Young people now report more distress, reversing the traditional U-shaped happiness pattern seen across ages.
Why it matters
- The traditional U-shaped pattern of happiness (low in midlife, higher in youth and old age) is changing.
- Young people now report more distress, and distress decreases with age.
By the numbers
- In the US, the incidence of despair nearly doubled from 3.7% in 1993 to 6.7% in 2023/24.
- In the UK, the percentage of young women in despair rose from 4.4% to 12.7% between 2009 and 2021.
- Across 44 countries, 25% of respondents and 48% of those aged under-25 were classified as clinically at-risk.
- The mean Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) score for the full sample over the years 2020–2025 is 68 (SD 73).
The big picture
- The change in the age pattern of happiness and distress suggests a significant shift in mental health trends across generations.
- Potential reasons for this shift include economic factors, the COVID pandemic, and smartphone usage.
What they're saying
- Concerns about the future, such as global warming, contribute to distress among young people.
- Economic and social issues, such as wealth inequality and anti-intellectualism, are causing distress.
- Older generations with more financial means tend to be happier.
Caveats
- The study does not establish causality for the factors mentioned.
- The data is based on surveys and self-reports.
What’s next
- More research is needed to understand the reasons behind this shift and to address the mental health issues among young people.