The Rising Tide of Youth Unhappiness: A Global Crisis in the Making

Understanding the Sudden Decline in Well-being Among the Younger Generation and What We Can Do About It

In a world that often celebrates the vibrancy and potential of youth, a disconcerting trend has emerged: young people today are more unhappy than ever before. This alarming shift has been documented extensively, most notably in a recent study by Professor David Blanchflower of Dartmouth University. The study, which spans data from over 140 countries, reveals that the traditional U-shaped curve of happiness, which typically shows a midlife dip, has transformed into a near-straight line, with the lowest points of happiness now occurring at the beginning of adulthood.

The Happiness U-Curve: A Thing of the Past?

Traditionally, happiness research has suggested that well-being follows a U-shaped trajectory. People generally report higher levels of happiness in their youth, experience a dip during midlife (often associated with increased responsibilities and stress), and then see a resurgence in happiness as they age. This model has been supported by numerous studies and was considered a near-universal truth across different cultures and societies.