According to the latest data from Gallup and its partners, the United States has slipped from the top 20 happiest countries in the world, marking the first time in the 12-year history of the World Happiness Report. The U.S. now sits at No. 23, a drop from its No. 15 position last year.
Researchers attribute this decline, in part, to a decrease in life satisfaction among Americans under 30.
“In the U.S., happiness, or subjective wellbeing, has declined across all age groups, with young adults experiencing the most significant decrease,” explained Ilana Ron Levey, managing director at Gallup, in an email statement to CBS News. She highlighted that social connections play a crucial role in these generational differences in happiness.
“The World Happiness Report and the Gallup/Meta data on social connectedness reveal heightened loneliness among younger Americans. It’s widely acknowledged that social support and feelings of loneliness significantly influence overall happiness, and these dynamics vary across age groups,” she added. “The quality of interpersonal relationships may affect the wellbeing of younger and older individuals differently.“
Meanwhile, Finland maintains its reign as the world’s happiest country for the seventh consecutive year. The top 10 happiest countries in the latest report include Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia.
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In a deeper analysis by age, Lithuania emerges as the top-ranked nation for individuals under 30, while Denmark claims the title of the world’s happiest country for those aged 60 and older.
“The variations in rankings by age highlight the significant differences in people’s life satisfaction ratings, which ultimately determine the rankings,” stated researchers in a news release. “In countries like the U.S. and Canada, for instance, rankings for individuals aged 60 and older are at least 50 places higher than those for individuals under 30. However, in many nations, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, the opposite holds true: younger generations report higher levels of happiness compared to older counterparts.“
At the bottom of the happiness spectrum, Afghanistan retains its position as the least happy nation overall.
The research team compiles responses from individuals in over 140 countries to determine the world’s “happiest” nations, gauging overall life satisfaction. To better understand the disparities between countries, they assess six key factors: healthy life expectancy, economic prosperity (GDP per capita), levels of corruption, social support, generosity, and freedom.
Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, emphasized that the report’s data provides valuable insights beyond national rankings, offering guidance for evidence-based planning and policymaking.
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The latest insights reveal a decline in happiness among individuals aged 15 to 24 in North America, Western Europe, the Middle East/North Africa, and South Asia since 2019, according to the researchers.
“Piecing together available data on the wellbeing of children and adolescents worldwide, we’ve observed concerning drops, particularly in North America and Western Europe. The fact that, in certain parts of the world, young people are already facing challenges akin to a mid-life crisis underscores the urgent need for policy action,” remarked Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and an editor of the World Happiness Report.
A December CBS News poll found that 21% of Americans described themselves as “very happy,” with an additional 55% identifying as “fairly happy.” Notably, those who reported positive family dynamics and financial comfort were more likely to express overall happiness.
Released in conjunction with the International Day of Happiness on March 20, the World Happiness Report is a collaborative effort between Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board.
