America’s decline in global happiness measurement might make you angry

The United States has fallen out of the top 20 happiest countries in the world, according to Gallup’s latest World Happiness Report.

This year’s ranking of 23rd marks the lowest ever for the U.S. in the report’s history.

While life evaluations have dipped slightly across all age groups, a significant shift has occurred among young adults. For the first time, the report includes rankings by age group, revealing a stark contrast between younger and older Americans.

Older Americans (over 30) still rank highly in global happiness, coming in 10th with a score of 7.3. However, Americans under 30 plummeted to 62nd place with a score of 6.4, a significant drop compared to previous years.

Experts attribute this decline in happiness among younger Americans to a lack of social support and feelings of loneliness. Data suggests younger generations are less likely to feel they have a strong social network to rely on.

The World Happiness Report has become an indispensable resource for satisfying the growing global interest in prioritizing happiness — or well-being — in government policymaking.

Gallup’s World Poll data on life evaluations are the primary source behind the annual happiness rankings for countries worldwide.

The report assesses the current state of happiness worldwide and explores how the field of happiness science illuminates the differences in happiness levels on an individual and national scale. The 2024 edition focuses on the happiness of people at different stages of life.

This trend aligns with the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent warning of a “loneliness epidemic,” particularly affecting young people. The report cites declining trust in institutions, increasing social isolation, and less time spent with friends and family as contributing factors.

In contrast, younger people in other countries report stronger social support systems. Finland, Denmark, and Iceland topped the overall happiness rankings, while Lithuania, Israel, and Serbia ranked highest for younger demographics.

On a 10-point scale, Finland’s average life evaluation ranks it as the happiest country in the world. Afghanistan ranks as the least happy country in the world with a life evaluation of 1.721.

At the global level, averaged across all ages and regions, inequality of happiness has increased by more than 20% over the past dozen years.

Among those born after 1980, happiness falls with each year of age. Among those born before 1965, life evaluations rise with age.

The report suggests that measuring happiness provides valuable insights beyond traditional economic data. Understanding how people feel can offer a more complete picture of societal well-being.