Youth happiness drops despite wealth
The results of the "World Happiness Report 2026" reveal that youth in some wealthy countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, experienced a noticeable decline in their life satisfaction ratings between 2023 and 2025, with an average drop of about 0.86 points on a scale from zero to ten. This decline reflects a deterioration in social and emotional factors, such as trust, a sense of belonging, and social engagement. Meanwhile, social media usage remains high, with teenagers spending around two and a half hours daily on these platforms. However, the relationship between high usage and life satisfaction is not straightforward; moderate use may be associated with higher satisfaction, while excessive use—particularly among girls—tends to increase feelings of stress and depression. The findings indicate that reduced trust, social connection, and social relationships are among the main reasons for the decline in youth well-being in these countries, rather than merely increased technology use, with clear differences across Western regions where negative feelings are more prevalent. Conversely, most other countries worldwide have seen improvements in youth satisfaction levels, although challenges persist in Western nations, especially as feelings of loneliness and a diminished sense of belonging continue to rise.
Notice: This Is an AI-Generated Summary
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