Fri Mar 07 07:04:55 UTC 2025: ## Youth Happiness Plummets Globally, Challenging Traditional Life Satisfaction Curve
**London, UK** – A groundbreaking new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) challenges the long-held belief that happiness follows a U-shaped curve throughout life, peaking in youth and old age. Research across six English-speaking countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, and US), and corroborated by findings from other regions, reveals a significant decline in happiness and life satisfaction among young adults in the last decade.
The study, co-authored by Jean Twenge and David Blanchflower, analyzed data from eleven surveys, showing that young people aged 12-25 are experiencing higher rates of depression and psychological distress than previous generations. This contrasts sharply with older adults, who continue to report increasing life satisfaction with age.
The researchers point to the rise of internet usage, particularly smartphones and social media, as a key driver of this global trend. Professor Blanchflower stated that “the internet is the main contender for blame,” citing a correlation between increased internet use and decreased happiness. This is supported by other studies, including a 2024 Pew Research survey showing that a majority of American teenagers felt happier offline. Similar findings have emerged in Europe and are being observed in countries across Africa and the Middle East as smartphone access increases. A separate NBER study focusing on Africa highlighted the comparatively better mental health of young people with limited internet access.
However, the researchers acknowledge that economic hardship, loneliness, and decreased in-person social interaction may also contribute to this decline. The impact is globally significant, with the 2024 World Happiness Report noting a dramatic drop in happiness among young people under 30 since the COVID-19 pandemic. The US, for instance, fell out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time since 2012.
While the study calls for further research, Professor Blanchflower expresses concern that the trend is unlikely to reverse without significant societal change, urging individuals to limit screen time and prioritize face-to-face interactions. The findings highlight a pressing need for policymakers to address the factors contributing to this widespread decline in youth happiness.
First Piper 