Happiness? Or Happi-LESS?

Yesterday, in conjunction with the UN’s International Day of Happiness, the results of the annual World Happiness Report were released. The report is based on data collected by Gallup that has, in turn, been analyzed by a group of well-being experts led by academics at Oxford University.

As it turns out, for the first time the United States is not listed among the Top 20 happiest countries, falling from 15 to 23 out of the 143 countries surveyed—right between the UAE and Germany. Considering everything that’s going on in our country right now, I can’t say I’m all that surprised (although I must admit, it is a real shame).

At any rate, this year’s Report looks at people’s happiness at different stages of life; namely, of people younger than 30, and people 60 and older.

Over the years, other research has consistently shown that Adults 60+ are happier than younger adults—and that their happiness continues to grow as they age. The good news is that the Report seems to echo that data, because if you compare the happiness of Americans 60+ to older adults in other countries, the U.S. ranks Number 10.

However, when you examine the happiness of Americans under the age of 30, the U.S. rank falls to 62. This, to me, is quite disturbing and brings to mind a number of questions that we, as older adults, may want and/or need to consider:

1)  Is there a role Americans 60+ can play in helping to increase the happiness of our younger brothers and sisters? Is there some wisdom we can impart, some support we can provide, some example we can set, some connection we can make?

2)  Will the “U-Curve of Happiness” theory hold true for Americans under the age of 30 as they grow older—or will it begin to flatten out given that their current state of unhappiness seems to put them somewhat “behind the curve”?

3)  How does ageism factor into this equation? How will it factor into this equation in the future—when today’s 30-year-olds turn 60?

4)  How can we reach across the generations to work together to increase happiness levels across the board? Is it a matter of policy, practice, culture, and/or mindset? Is it a matter of ethics, values, and/or priorities? Or is it ALL OF THE ABOVE?

I have SO many questions—and absolutely ZERO answers. But to me, one thing’s for sure, something has to change—and soon—because the happiness of a country with this much wealth, opportunity, and resources should simply not fall below countries who have so much less.

There’s just too much at stake.

Photo credit to CBSNews