Unhappy news for Americans: The United States is no longer among the 20 happiest countries in the world, according to new data from Gallup and its partners.
In the newly released 2024 World Happiness Report, the U.S. dropped out of the top 20 on the list for the first time in the report's 12-year history. The U.S. now ranks at No. 23, compared to No. 15 last year.
The researchers say this is driven in part by a decline in how Americans under 30 feel about their lives.
"In the US, happiness or subjective wellbeing has decreased in all age groups, but especially for young adults," Gallup managing director Ilana Ron Levey told CBS News in an emailed statement, adding that social connections are one key factor contributing to these generational disparities in happiness.
"The World Happiness Report and the Gallup/Meta social connectedness data show peak loneliness for younger Americans. It's widely recognized that social support and feelings of loneliness are influential factors in determining overall happiness, and these dynamics differ across various age groups," she said. "The quality of interpersonal relationships may impact the wellbeing of younger and older individuals in distinct ways."
Finland Tops List of World's Happiest Countries for Seventh Consecutive Year
For the seventh year running, Finland has been ranked as the world's happiest country overall. However, a closer look by age reveals interesting findings. Lithuania takes the top spot for people under 30, while Denmark emerges as the happiest nation for individuals aged 60 and above.
Researchers pointed out that the variations in happiness rankings by age highlight the significant differences in life satisfaction levels among the young and old globally. In countries like the U.S. and Canada, the rankings for those over 60 are significantly higher than for those under 30. Conversely, in many Central and Eastern European nations, the younger population reports higher levels of happiness compared to the elderly.
On the flip side, Afghanistan continues to occupy the bottom spot on the list, maintaining its position as the least happy country overall.
The study, which gathers responses from individuals in over 140 countries, assesses the world's "happiest" nations based on people's self-reported satisfaction with their lives. In addition to overall life satisfaction, the researchers consider various factors such as healthy life expectancy, GDP per capita, levels of corruption, social support, generosity, and freedom to understand the differences observed between countries.
Recent research indicates a decrease in happiness levels among individuals aged 15 to 24 in North America, Western Europe, the Middle East/North Africa, and South Asia compared to 2019. The findings highlight concerning trends in the well-being of young people globally, with significant declines observed in North America and Western Europe. According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre and an editor of the World Happiness Report, the data suggests that some regions are facing challenges similar to a mid-life crisis, emphasizing the need for immediate policy interventions.
A CBS News survey conducted in December revealed these troubling trends, shedding light on the growing concerns surrounding youth happiness. The World Happiness Report, a collaborative effort between Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR's Editorial Board, was published in conjunction with the International Day of Happiness, recognized by the United Nations on March 20.
