An evaluation of over 400 samples shows how subjective well-being develops over the course of a lifespan.
More than 460,000 participants
In their study, the researchers examined trends in subjective well-being over the lifespan based on 443 samples from longitudinal studies with a total of 460,902 participants. "We focused on changes in three central components of subjective well-being," explains Professor Susanne Bücker, who initially worked on the study in Bochum and has since moved to Cologne: "Life satisfaction, positive emotional states and negative emotional states."
The findings show that the life satisfaction decreased between the ages of 9 and 16, then increased slightly until the age of 70, and then decreased once again until the age of 96. Positive emotional states showed a general decline from age 9 to age 94, while negative emotional states fluctuated slightly between ages 9 and 22, then declined until age 60 and then increased once again. The authors identified greater median changes in positive and negative emotional states than in life satisfaction.
Positive trend over a wide period of life
"Overall, the study indicated a positive trend over a wide period of life, if we look at life satisfaction and negative emotional states," as Susanne Bücker sums up the results. The researchers attribute the slight decline in life satisfaction between the ages of 9 and 16 to, for example, changes to the body and to the social life that take place during puberty. Satisfaction rises again from young adulthood onwards. Positive feelings tend to decrease from childhood to late adulthood. In very late adulthood, all components of subjective well-being tended to worsen rather than improve. "This could be related to the fact that in very old people, physical performance decreases, health often deteriorates, and social contacts diminish; not least because their peers pass away," speculates the researcher.
The study highlights the need to consider and promote subjective well-being with its various components across the lifespan, as the authors of the study conclude. Their findings could provide significant guidance for the development of intervention programmes, especially those aimed at maintaining or improving subjective well-being late in life.
FAQs
The researchers found people reached their happiest when they arrived at the age of 70. Life satisfaction decreased between the ages of nine and 16, increased a little until the age of 70, and then declined again until the age of 96.
At what age do you think people are the happiest? ›
The study, published in the academic journal Psychology Bulletin, is based on 443 samples from studies involving a total of 460,902 participants. Life satisfaction was found to decrease between the ages of 9 and 16, then increase again slightly until the age of 70.
What age is the highest happiness? ›
Child and Adolescent Well-being: Global Trends, Challenges and Opportunities. In most countries life satisfaction drops gradually from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. Globally, young people aged 15-24 still report higher life satisfaction than older adults.
At what age does happiness peak? ›
But, a few years ago researchers identified the two ages in an adult's life when you are likely to be at your happiest. Experts from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences found that happiness peaks at the ages of 23 and 69. Whoa! Sixty-nine!
What age is life at its best? ›
The Economist's international survey of happiness gathered data from America's General Social Survey, Eurobarometer and Gallup finding an upward trajectory of happiness until age 30, a downward trend into midlife, with the lowest point reached at age 46, and up to higher levels again after the 50's.
What is the happiest age for a woman? ›
A 2014 Brookings Institute study on happiness and age found that people are least happy in their twenties, thirties, and early forties, and steadily gain an appreciation for life as they age. Indeed, most women become increasingly happy after age 55, with their peak of happiness toward the very end of life.
What age do you enjoy life the most? ›
Life satisfaction tends to begin fairly high, dip from young adulthood to midlife, and then climb again throughout later life. Relationships, employment, finances and more all play a role in how happiness ebbs and flows over time.
What are the two ages that we feel happiest in life? ›
One theory that has captured many people's attention is that of the U shape of happiness, where well-being peaks during one's 20s and in old age, with a significant drop during midlife.
What is the happiest time of your life? ›
The top ten happiest life moments
- Birth of a first child (12.3 per cent of vote)
- Wedding day (11.5 per cent)
- Birth of grandchildren (10 per cent)
- Birth of another child (8.5 per cent)
- Day of retirement (7.4 per cent)
- Moving into a new home (6.7 per cent)
- Seeing your child's first steps (5.5 per cent)
Generally, happiness is greatest among young people and drops to its lowest around middle age (40-60) before climbing up again as people reach retirement and old age – a phenomenon commonly called the U-shape.
Older people are happier people.
As they aged, older adults rated their life satisfaction progressively higher, with happiness rating rising gradually and steadily from age 50 through the decade of the 90s.” Life satisfaction IS fairly high in the 20s but not as high as it will be in the years after 60.
What is the happiest age of mankind? ›
Respondents of a variety of ages rated their life satisfaction, self-worth, happiness and anxiety levels on a scale from one to 10. In a U-shaped curve, it showed that being in one's 50s is the pits, while the ages of 16 and 70 are the twin peaks of happiness.
At what age do you feel the happiest? ›
Life satisfaction: The study revealed that life satisfaction follows a nuanced trajectory across the lifespan. It showed a decline between the ages of 9 and 16, possibly due to the significant physical and social changes accompanying puberty. However, life satisfaction gradually increased until around the age of 70.
What age are men happiest? ›
Men under 55 are happier than women.
This gap is smallest at 3 points for people ages 45 to 54 and largest for those 35 to 44, at 12 points. Older women are happier than men, however, with 75% saying they are typically happy at ages 55 to 64, compared to men's 69%.
Which age is best to enjoy? ›
When we took an even closer look at our data, it started to become clear why people might wish to remain age 36 over any other age. People talked about being in the prime of their lives and feeling at their peak.
What is the happiest and least happy age? ›
The U-shaped function is real: Younger people are generally happier, followed by the elderly — and people in their early fifties report themselves to be the least happy.
What age is the peak of your life? ›
On average, you will reach your sexual peak in your 20s, your physical peak in your 30s, your mental peak in your 40s and 50s, and you will be at your happiest and relaxed in your 60s. Really though, the most important message is life is a series of ups and downs, peaks and troughs.
