Happiness Report Card Youth Happiness Check-In
Are Youth Happy? Over the years we have reported on the happiness of youth. Scientific research tells us that happiness comes in a U-shape.* You should be happiest in your youth and in your old age. Our data has consistently shown that youth are not as happy as scientific research says they should be. Our data comes from a convenience sample, so while it may not represent the entire population of youth, a geographic area, or other dimension of demographics, it does represent the people who took it. When you take the Happiness Index, your scores represent your happiness. We analyzed our data to find out if the differences between youth and other ages are significant.
*Graham, C., Pozuelo, J. ((2017). Happiness, stress, and age: how the U curve varies across people and places. Journal of Popular Economics 30, 225–264 (2017). doi:10.1007/s00148-016-0611-2; Blanchflower, D. & Oswald, A. (2008). Is well-being U-shaped over the life cycle? Social Science & Medicine 66 (8): 1733-1749. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.01.030
How We Measure Happiness: The Happiness Index a scientifically valid measure of wellbeing
We used data from 2020. We only used data for survey takers who had answered all the questions in the Happiness Index. We conducted an Anova analysis of our data. Overall our analysis shows that the differences between age groups is significant.
Overall our analysis shows that the differences between age groups is significant.
Young people are more satisfied with their lives than middle aged people, but not as satisfied as older people. The U-shape in satisfaction with life is not as high as we would expect for younger people.
Satisfaction with Life Ages
Count
Sum
Average
12 -- 17
1075
6097
5.671628 6.684436
18 -- 29
1714
9568
5.582264 5.789201
30 -- 39
478
2492
5.213389 6.512022
40 -- 49
370
2024
5.47027
50 -- 59
287
1623
5.655052 6.506469
60 -- 74
160
964
6.025
Variance
6.721336
6.250943
Scale: 0 -10. 0 very unsatisfied. 10 very satisfied
Source of Variation
SS
Between Groups 110.9296
df 5
Within Groups
25537.14
4078
Total
25648.07
4083
MS
F
P-value
F crit
22.18591 3.542845 0.003372 2.216292 6.262173
Satisfaction with life is the measure used for the U-Shape curve. It is the primary measure for happiness and wellbeing. In scientific terms, it is the dependent variable, meaning when other domains of happiness change, satisfaction with life may also change.
Young people are more lonely than older people. Their scores are closer to middle aged people than to older people.
Feeling Lonely Groups
Count
Sum
Average
Variance
12 -- 17
1082
2883
2.66451
1.647749
18 -- 24
1422
3715
2.612518
1.378957
25 -- 29
302
751
2.486755
1.55298
30 -- 34
257
684
2.661479
1.560737
35 -- 39
223
643
2.883408
1.76112
40 -- 44
207
592
2.859903
1.839501
45 -- 49
165
481
2.915152
1.712269
50 -- 54
169
511
3.023669
1.785151
55 -- 59
124
388
3.129032
1.771833
60 -- 74
161
504
3.130435
1.72663
Scale 1-5. 1 is frequently feel lonely. 5 is rarely feel lonely
Source of Variation
SS
df
MS
F
P-value
F crit
Between Groups
116.5521
9
12.95023
8.232716
3.13E-12
1.88216
Within Groups
6452.53
4102
1.57302
Total
6569.082
4111
Lonely people are more apt to get sick and have a shorter life span. They are also more likely to consume more, contributing to an unsustainable planet. The ability to have strong and health relationships is something that can be learned. This is one aspect of emotional intelligence.
Young people are more optimistic about their future than middle aged and older people
Feeling Optimistic about the Future Groups Count Sum Average 12 -- 17 1079 3951 3.661724 18 -- 24 1419 5332 3.757576 25 -- 29 301 1045 3.471761 30 -- 34 257 845 3.287938 35 -- 39 221 766 3.466063 40 -- 44 205 703 3.429268 45 -- 49 162 540 3.333333 50 -- 54 168 577 3.434524 55 -- 59 122 404 3.311475
Variance 1.357634 1.319186 1.6367 1.682393 1.522707 1.697178 1.391304 1.325029 1.604661
60 -- 74 160 524 3.275 1.533962 Scale 1-5. 1 is not at all optimistic. 5 is very optimistic
Source of Variation Between Groups Within Groups
SS 128.2853 5840.038
df 10 4094
Total
5968.323
4104
MS F P-value F crit 12.82853 8.993091 8.28E-15 1.833009 1.426487
Optimism is important for life decisions. When you are optimistic about your future, you are willing to invest in your life and your happiness. When you are not optimistic, you are more susceptible to anxiety, depression and addiction. Optimism comes from within and without. You need to feel like there is a place for you in the world where you can realize your life’s purpose.
Young people feel a less sense of discrimination than middle aged people but more than older people.
Discrimination - uncomforable due to race, age, nationality Groups
Count
Sum
Average
Variance
12 -- 17
1080
4333
4.012037
1.2760366
18 -- 24
1422
5518
3.88045
1.196113
25 -- 29
301
1173
3.89701
1.232691
30 -- 34
256
1013
3.957031
1.3589308
35 -- 39
222
902
4.063063
1.2086747
40 -- 44
205
848
4.136585
1.0106648
45 -- 49
163
683
4.190184
0.9697796
50 -- 54
167
692
4.143713
1.0515114
55 -- 59
122
519
4.254098
0.8853136
60 -- 74
157
663
4.22293
0.9563939
Scale 1- 5. 1 is frequently uncomfortable 5 is rarely
Source of Variation Between Groups Within Groups
SS 53.56051 4854.123
Total
4907.684
df
MS F P-value F crit 9 5.951168 5.008221 9.77E-07 1.88217 4085 1.18828 4094
Discrimination leaves people feeling unvalued, angry and hopeless. It disables people from realizing their full potential. All people, no matter their race, gender, age, economic status, or ideology, have potential. Intolerance of any aspect of being a person – including race and gender identification as well as political ideology or age – hurts everybody and our future on the planet. We need tolerance for all except intolerance.
Young people are less satisfied with their safety – meaning they feel less safe – than people who are older than them.
Satisfaction with Safety Groups
Count
Sum
Average
Variance
12 -- 17
1078
3995
3.705937
0.867021
18 -- 24
1418
5162
3.640339
0.90231
25 -- 29
301
1072
3.561462
0.967043
30 -- 34
257
952
3.70428
0.943458
35 -- 39
222
847
3.815315
0.956687
40 -- 44
206
795
3.859223
1.009354
45 -- 49
164
655
3.993902
0.791374
50 -- 54
169
683
4.04142
0.789941
55 -- 59
119
488
4.10084
1.040593
60 -- 74
162
642
3.962963
0.855763
Scale 1-5, 1 is very dissatisfied. 5 is very satisfied Source of Variation Between Groups Within Groups
SS 78.7277 3684.61
df 9 4086
Total
3763.338
4095
MS F 8.747522 9.70045 0.901765
P-value F crit 8.34E-15 1.882169
Feeling safe is something you take for granted until you no longer feel safe on your streets or in your home. Then it becomes clear how important feeling safe is to your happiness. Everybody deserves to feel safe. It is worth fighting for the safety of all, but when people do not feel safe, they are more apt to do things leave everybody feeling unsafe. This can lead to situations that put everyone in harms way.
Young people are less satisfied with their access to nature than people who are older than them.
Satisfaction with Opportunities to Enjoy Nature Groups
Count
Sum
Average
Variance
12 -- 17
1079
3954
3.664504
0.942997
18 -- 24
1423
5077
3.567814
1.08383
25 -- 29
302
1058
3.503311
1.200986
30 -- 34
257
893
3.474708
1.203459
35 -- 39
222
801
3.608108
1.126269
40 -- 44
207
772
3.729469
1.101215
45 -- 49
164
592
3.609756
1.171929
50 -- 54
168
658
3.916667
0.891218
55 -- 59
122
464
3.803279
1.299824
60 -- 74
161
627
3.89441
0.995031
Scale 1-5 1 is very dissatisfied, 5 is very satisfied. Source of Variation
SS
df
MS
F
P-value
F crit
Between Groups
48.77231
9
5.419145
5.090429
7.15E-07
1.882164
Within Groups
4359.436
4095
1.064575
Total
4408.208
4104
Nature is the basis survival on the planet for all species. Our economic systems do not take into account the health of our natural systems, assuming that technological innovation replaces consideration in economic theory and practice. Our natural tendency to prefer the short term to the long term is also threatening our future through lack of adequate planning and adapting to climate change. These factors probably decrease optimism for all ages.
Young people are having an easier time getting by financially than people older than them, except people who are sixty and above.
Getting By Financially / Living Paycheck to Paycheck Groups
Count
Sum
Average
Variance
12 -- 17
1046
4169
3.98566
1.512713
18 -- 24
1416
4652
3.285311
1.849282
25 -- 29
301
855
2.840532
1.981152
30 -- 34
257
709
2.758755
2.082198
35 -- 39
223
674
3.022422
2.193189
40 -- 44
206
613
2.975728
1.935993
45 -- 49
165
518
3.139394
1.864597
50 -- 54
169
534
3.159763
2.182657
55 -- 59
124
399
3.217742
2.041634
60 -- 74
161
581
3.608696
1.702174
Scale 1- 5. 1 is often or always just getting by financially. 5 is rarely living paycheck to paycheck
Source of Variation Between Groups Within Groups
SS 674.2793 7404.623
df 9 4058
Total
8078.903
4067
MS F 74.91992 41.05881 1.824698
P-value 8.88E-71
F crit 1.882185
Getting by financially is harder when you meet your needs primarily through financial exchange. It is also harder when your society sees wealth as the avenue to happiness. In a resource constrained world, we need to find ways to meet our needs through sustainably caring for each other and the planet. This is part of a new economic paradigm that is our mission and the reason we provide the Happiness Index and these Happiness Report Cards for you.
Young people are a little more satisfied with their work than older people, but not middle aged people.
Satisfaction with Work Groups
Count
Sum
Average
Variance
18 -- 24
1348
4361
3.235163
1.133224
25 -- 29
299
889
2.973244
1.334852
30 -- 34
247
706
2.8583
1.52862
35 -- 39
220
705
3.204545
1.441988
40 -- 44
204
637
3.122549
1.319883
45 -- 49
165
526
3.187879
1.458389
50 -- 54
166
536
3.228916
1.316977
55 -- 59
120
375
3.125
1.370798
60 -- 74
148
507
3.425676
1.266547
Scale 1-5. 1 is very dissatisfied. 5 is very satisfied
Source of Variation Between Groups Within Groups
SS 52.57283 4639.759
Total
4692.332
df 9 3842 3851
MS 5.841426 1.207642
F 4.837052
P-value 1.88E-06
F crit 1.882314
Work is more than a means to earn a living. It is a way to realize your full potential and to make a difference in the world. Work can be paid or unpaid, but it is important to be able to meet your needs through your work.
Young people trust their national government more than older people but not by much.
Trust in National Government Groups Count Sum 12 -- 17 1075 2853 18 -- 24 1421 3281 25 -- 29 302 677 30 -- 34 257 560 35 -- 39 223 482 40 -- 44 206 472 45 -- 49 166 369 50 -- 54 170 355 55 -- 59 124 274 60 -- 74 164 350
Average 2.653953 2.308937 2.241722 2.178988 2.161435 2.291262 2.222892 2.088235 2.209677 2.134146
Variance 1.017943 1.031955 1.014466 1.045963 1.000848 1.09524 0.962139 0.838322 1.17519 0.988029
Scale 1- 5. 1 Is no trust 5 is a great deal of trust Source of Variation
SS
df
MS
F
Between Groups
145.733
9
16.19255
15.8578
Within Groups
4184.507
4098
1.02111
Total
4330.24
4107
P-value
F crit
8.49E-26 1.882162
When you trust in your government, you may not see the connection between government and happiness. When you do not trust in your government, the connection becomes clear. In a government that represents special interests rather than the people, campaign finance reform is needed. Until government represents the interests of its people instead of money, the majority of people of any political orientation are likely to feel less and less trust in government. The Happiness Alliance does its work to contribute to a transformation in the economy and in government where the happiness of people, the well-being of communities and the sustainability of the planet are the highest priorities.
To cite or give attribution please use: Chowdhury, T. & Musikanski, L. (2021). Happiness Report Card Youth Happiness Check-In. Happiness Alliance at happycounts.org