A groundbreaking new study has found that young adults today are significantly less happy than previous generations, challenging the long-held belief that happiness follows a U-shaped trajectory throughout life. The research, commissioned by the United Nations and published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), indicates that happiness does not peak in youth as previously assumed but instead increases with age.
The study, co-authored by psychologist Jean Twenge of San Diego State University and economist David G. Blanchflower of Dartmouth University, analyzed data from 11 surveys conducted in six English-speaking countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The findings point to a striking generational decline in life satisfaction, with adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 25 experiencing significantly higher levels of depression and psychological distress compared to slightly older age groups. In contrast, older adults still exhibit a rising trajectory of happiness with age.
The shift in happiness patterns has raised alarm bells among experts, who believe that younger generations are facing unique challenges in a rapidly evolving digital and economic landscape. One of the most critical factors highlighted in the study is the role of internet usage, particularly the impact of smartphones and social media. Blanchflower argues that increased internet connectivity is the “main contender” responsible for the decline in happiness among young people, noting that no other factor aligns so clearly with the observed trends.
Supporting this theory, a 2024 Pew Research Survey found that three in four American teenagers reported feeling happier and more at peace when they were not using their smartphones. Similarly, a 2024 study on British teenagers and preteens found that they were the least happy youth in Europe, with social media being identified as a significant contributor to their declining well-being.
The effects of internet usage on happiness levels are not limited to Western nations. Blanchflower, who has also studied mental health trends in Africa, found that while nearly half of the continent’s population has never used the internet, those who have are more likely to experience mental health issues. His study, The Mental Health of the Young in Africa, published by NBER in December 2024, suggests that lower internet access correlates with higher happiness levels among African youth. However, as smartphone sales surge across the continent, researchers warn that similar mental health declines may soon be observed there as well.
While the internet and social media appear to play a central role in the happiness decline, they are not the only factors at play. The study also points to economic difficulties and rising loneliness as additional contributors to the worsening mental health of young people. Economic instability, widening income inequality, and a decline in face-to-face social interactions have all been identified as forces negatively affecting life satisfaction among youth.
The World Happiness Report 2024 further reinforces these findings, showing a dramatic decline in happiness among people under the age of 30 worldwide, particularly in the United States. For the first time since the report’s inception in 2012, the U.S. dropped out of the list of the 20 happiest countries, highlighting the extent of the problem.
As experts seek solutions to reverse the downward trend, Blanchflower remains skeptical about the possibility of reversing this shift in youth happiness. “The concern is that the decline in the well-being of the young continues,” he said. “It is spreading around the world.”
Blanchflower urges young people to reduce their screen time and engage in more real-world interactions to improve their overall well-being. Whether such advice will be heeded in an increasingly digital world remains an open question, but the urgency to address this growing crisis is clearer than ever.