This year’s World Happiness Report is out, and the results for the US won’t make you smile. This most recent report from the Gallup World Poll shows the US sliding out of the top 20 happiest countries in the world, dropping from 15th to 23rd. And the main players in this decline? Young adults.

In fact, while the US as a whole ranked 23rd for happiness, America’s “young” (ages 30 and younger) ranked a dismal 62nd. Meanwhile, our “old” population (ages 60 and older) ranked 10th. This begs the question: Why are young adults in America so unhappy?

What Is Happiness?

First let’s define what we mean by “happiness.” While we would probably all say happiness is hard to define, researchers must define a term if they plan to examine it. Psychology professor and happiness expert Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky describes the phenomenon as “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.”

The World Happiness Report measures happiness by asking respondents to evaluate their lives using the image of a ladder, with the top rung being the best possible life for them, and the bottom rung being the worst possible life. Respondents assign a number to their life satisfaction, from zero at the bottom rung, to 10 at the top rung.

While respondents are not asked about the factors contributing to their evaluations, the study has found six key variables that correlate with most of the variations in life evaluations across countries: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and freedom from corruption. Positive and negative emotions are other factors at play.

Why Are Young Adults Unhappy?

So why, according to this report, are young adults in the US so unhappy? While there isn’t one clear answer, there are several factors that contribute to the decline in happiness among the younger generations.

• Social Media – It should come as no surprise by now that social media is a major contributor to unhappiness among young adults. In the 2019 World Happiness Report, psychology professor Dr. Jean Twenge discusses the correlations between social media use and mental health in young adults. Increased time online is associated with less personal interaction with others, less time attending religious services, less reading, and less sleep. All of these activities are linked to increased happiness in young adults, which means that even if social media itself doesn’t decrease happiness, it does so indirectly by displacing activities that increase happiness. That’s to say nothing of the negative impacts of comparison culture and online bullying that social media breeds.
• Loneliness – The most digitally connected generation ever is consequently one of the least physically connected generations. According to an advisory released by the US Surgeon General, young adults spend 70% less time with others than two decades ago and are currently experiencing some of the highest levels of loneliness. People who report feeling lonely often are more than twice as likely to experience depression than those who rarely or never experience it.
• Academic Pressure and Performance Anxiety – The pressure for young adults to succeed academically and in the workplace has increased exponentially in recent years. This pressure contributes to anxiety, burnout, feelings of inadequacy, and discouragement.
• Economic and Financial Instability – Economic turmoil over the last couple of decades has made the promise of a stable job, a steady income, and a house with a reasonable mortgage and a white picket fence a thing of the past. Even when jobs are abundant, low pay coupled with high inflation has left young adults feeling like they may never reach financial stability.

The report likens the unhappiness young adults are experiencing to an early mid-life crisis.

Happiness and Mental Health in Young Adults

Unsurprisingly, young adult mental health is strongly correlated with happiness levels. A report from the Harvard Graduate School of Education states that rates of depression and anxiety in young adults are at double the rates of teens. Depression in young adults was reported at 29%, while anxiety in young adults came in at 36%. Reasons for anxiety and depression were similar to those in the Happiness Report and included financial stress, performance anxiety, loneliness, lack of meaning or purpose, social and political issues, and a general “sense that things are falling apart.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates have increased in teens and young adults since the early 2000s, and it is now one of the leading causes of death among young people ages 10 to 24.

Whatever the cause, these statistics have researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers concerned. The World Economic Forum suggests investing in comprehensive and accessible mental health resources in schools and communities and supporting activities that foster genuine social interaction and connection. They also recommend regulating social media and encouraging education that equips students with life skills such as financial literacy and healthy online habits.

How to Be Happier

If you are one of the many young adults experiencing decreased happiness, it might lift your spirits to know there are steps you can take as an individual to increase happiness and life satisfaction.

• Limit your digital connection. If you don’t already have them, put boundaries on your screen time. There are numerous apps and phone settings that can help you set limits or curfews. Finding activities you enjoy to replace your usual screen time will help you stick to your limits.
• Increase your physical connection. Now that you have more time on your hands, find people to spend it with. And when you are with others, put your phone somewhere you can’t reach so you can be fully present.  
• Do things you enjoy. No, Candy Crush doesn’t count. If you don’t know what you enjoy, explore options you’ve never thought to try before! Bonus points if they involve being outside. Did you know simply being in nature can almost immediately make you happier?
• Give back. Generosity of time and resources isn’t just good for others, it’s good for you too! According to the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, numerous studies have shown that generosity is linked to happiness and greater overall well-being. Whether donating money or volunteering, giving back will be sure to boost your spirits.
• Practice resilience. Happiness isn’t just about not experiencing struggles; it’s about learning to cope with the struggles you will inevitably suffer. Learn coping skills, build a support system, and know how to separate your emotions from reality so you can ride the waves that come your way.
• Ask for help. If you are constantly unhappy no matter what you do, or if you feel depressed or anxious for an extended period of time, it might be time to speak to a professional. Your doctor or a mental healthcare provider can help you decide whether you could benefit from therapy or medication.

If there’s one thing you should take away from this article, it’s that support from others is beneficial in every area of life, and that includes improving your mental health. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

Feeling Unhappy? The Claudia Black Center Is Here for You

If you’ve tried dealing with unhappiness, depression, or anxiety and haven’t found relief, or if you’ve been coping with alcohol or substance abuse, you could benefit from professional treatment. The Claudia Black Young Adult Center is one of the best residential mental health facilities for young adults in the country, providing intensive, experientially based treatment using our proven Meadows Model. At our scenic, 14-acre campus outside Phoenix, we use traditional therapeutic methods along with complementary techniques such as EMDR, neurofeedback, equine therapy, expressive arts, yoga, and tai chi to provide holistic, lasting healing. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.