America Falls to 23rd Place, Youth Driving the Decline
The latest World Happiness Report has revealed a startling shift in the United States’ happiness ranking, dropping the nation out of the top 20 for the first time since the report’s inception in 2012. The report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, identified young Americans as the primary demographic fueling this decline.
Key Findings:
– US Plummets: The US now holds the 23rd spot on the list of the world’s happiest countries, marking an eight-position drop from the previous year.
– Youth Discontent: The under-30 category in the US ranked 62nd, citing issues like loneliness, mental health challenges, and political polarization as contributing factors.
Expert Insights:
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, a professor associated with the World Happiness Report, expressed concern over the “quite astonishing” decrease in happiness among young Americans. He emphasized the urgent need for policy interventions to address these alarming trends.
Global Trends:
The report highlighted a broader decrease in well-being among 15 to 24-year-olds in North America, western Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and south Asia. In contrast, happiness levels within this age group have generally risen in other parts of the world.
Factors at Play:
De Neve pointed to various factors such as the impact of social media, mental health challenges, and societal divisions as contributing to the decline in happiness levels. The rising inequality and polarizing political landscape in the US were also noted as significant influences.
The report’s findings underscore the pressing need for comprehensive strategies to address the happiness and well-being of America’s youth, urging immediate action to combat these concerning trends.