The U-shaped curve of happiness is a concept in psychology and economics that suggests people’s happiness levels tend to follow a U-shaped trajectory over the course of their lives. According to this theory, happiness tends to be relatively high in youth, then decreases during middle age, before gradually increasing again later in life. This pattern is thought to be influenced by various factors such as life events, social relationships, and personal fulfillment.
This is big news: New research finds that the U-shaped curve of happiness is over, because young people since 2011 have dropped so quickly, across 34 countries. Driven by young women. (Probably not the 2008 GFC) t.co/nKlCyWOaUk pic.twitter.com/MRNitCPhDI
— Jonathan Haidt (@JonHaidt) April 7, 2024
You can see what the U-shaped curve of happiness USED to look like in the UK, in blue below (inverted U because this is a plot of anxiety). Then you can see what it has become since 2018, as Gen Z enters the dataset (in Orange). From @D_Blanchflower t.co/KOxhktnSNi pic.twitter.com/8TwLcrauMF
— Jonathan Haidt (@JonHaidt) April 7, 2024
Anxiety is the exception to the U shape in the UK. Until 2019 ie pre pandemic all four subjective wellbeing metrics were improving for all age groups (in 5 year age bands) except for anxiety in under 25s and over 85s. 1) is pandemic 2&3) latest 2023 4) 2012-2015 pic.twitter.com/m37aZGRFKw
— Nancy Hey (@Work_Life_You) April 8, 2024