The United States has experienced a decline in overall happiness, dropping to No. 24 in the latest World Happiness Report’s ranking of the happiest countries. This marks the country’s lowest position in the list’s 13-year history. The report analyzed how residents from over 140 countries rate their quality of life and found that young people under 30 are driving this decline.
According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, professor at the University of Oxford, the life satisfaction of Americans aged 30 and below has decreased significantly. If only these individuals were considered, the U.S. would not rank in the top 60 happiest countries. The continuous decline is concerning, researchers note.
The report also highlights the country’s larger inequality compared to Nordic nations like Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. In these countries, economic inequality is lower, resulting in higher levels of well-being. In contrast, the U.S. has a significant gap between its rich and poor populations, leading to a decline in overall happiness.
A key factor contributing to this decline is social support and trust in others. Nearly one in five young adults in the U.S. reported having no one they could count on for support. The number of people dining alone has increased by 53% since 2003, exacerbating distrust in others and society.
Researchers found that Americans are less likely to believe strangers will return lost items or be kind, highlighting a decline in trust. This lack of trust can have far-reaching effects, including reduced kindness and increased skepticism towards others.
Overall, the World Happiness Report highlights the need for improvements in social support, trust, and community connections to address the U.S.’s declining happiness levels.
Source: https://fortune.com/well/2025/03/20/americans-miserable-world-happiness-report