Gallup – World Happiness Report, 2024

The report by the Gallup – World Happiness Report, 2024 discusses how happiness in different stages of life is changing over time. Historically, it was believed that the young are the happiest, with happiness declining until middle age and then recovering. However, recent research shows a more nuanced picture. Happiness among the young has fallen sharply in North America since 2006-10, to the point where they are now less happy than the old. In contrast, happiness has increased at every age in Central and Eastern Europe, and also in the former Soviet Union and East Asia. However, in South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa, happiness has fallen at every age. The report also highlights the inequality of happiness, with levels increasing in every region except Europe. Additionally, negative emotions are more prevalent in most regions compared to 2006-2010, with a larger gender gap in older age groups. Positive emotions are highest in those under 30 in every region except North America, where they are least frequent in middle-aged groups. The report concludes by discussing strategies to improve well-being, particularly in older age, and focuses on India's happiness trends.