The United States (US) has slipped to the 23rd position in the global happiness rankings, according to the latest report published by the United Nations (UN).
While this may not seem dire considering the vast number of countries assessed, it marks a significant decline from last year's 15th position.
The report, compiled annually by the UN, Oxford, and Gallup, evaluates global happiness based on self-assessment surveys conducted worldwide.
Happiness Rankings by Country
Happiness is one of the aspects of a healthier life. A previous study said that smiling can make a person happier. However, it's also important to consider the emotions of the person behind the smile. We never know the true struggles of someone who might be feigning a smile.
Currently, the updated Happiness Report enumerates the top 10 happiest countries, based on their self-evaluation averages. These include Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia. The US is nowhere to be found on the list.
In contrast, the average score among Americans was 6.725, signifying the first time the U.S. has dropped out of the top 20 since the inception of the World Happiness Report in 2012.
Generational Disparity in Happiness
The report sheds light on a stark generational disparity in happiness within the United States. Notably, individuals aged 10-29 ranked 62nd globally on the happiness scale, while those aged 30-44 ranked 42nd.
In comparison, older Americans aged 45-59 fared relatively better, ranking 17th globally. Surprisingly, the happiest age group in the country was individuals aged 60 and over, ranking 10th on the global index.
Factors Influencing Happiness
Several factors contribute to the happiness levels within a society, including GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and the absence of corruption, Gizmodo writes in its report. However, the report does not delve into how each factor may have impacted happiness trends in the U.S. in recent years.
Loneliness and Wealth Disparity
The report highlights the prevalence of loneliness among younger generations, attributing it as a significant contributing factor to their unhappiness. Furthermore, it suggests a correlation between wealth distribution and happiness, hinting at the possibility that wealth disparities among different age groups could be fueling generational unhappiness.
Global Comparisons and Geopolitical Insights
China ranks 60th and Russia 72nd in the happiness rankings, with notable differences in the age groups reporting the highest levels of happiness. Meanwhile, Lesotho, Lebanon, and Afghanistan emerged as the least happy countries in the report, with Afghanistan consistently ranking low across all age groups.
While the report offers valuable insights into global happiness trends, addressing the root causes of unhappiness remains a complex challenge. Nonetheless, understanding the dynamics of happiness disparities among different age groups is essential for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to foster a happier society.
Meanwhile, a recent report claimed that US youths are mentally affected by climate change. As the Drexel University research said, the aftermath of a climate disaster will likely diminish over time, but for the next five to 10 years, it could still trigger the teen's mental health.
