Why are young people in the West increasingly unhappy? | DW News

[@emikomina]

The truth about this rankings is, Finnish people aren't necessarily happy or "happier" in the sense that it's a paradise or utopia over there. I've been there and its mostly that they are more content and have stable lives, because they have much fewer problems than people in other countries.

[@soundscape26]

That's true, they just use "happy" for sake of being a more catchy title.

[@Electronite1978]

Finland is also a high trust society, which in my opinion is part of the equation. Finns know that they can trust authorities like police but also their fellow human beings. This means that if you are in trouble you most likely will be able to get help. Finland has also excelled in Wallet experiments = most of the time you will get your lost wallet back...

[@Warmer_Bros]

I have talked to average looking, some might say good looking Finnish guy from Helsinki. He said a lot of lonely people in Finland, especially out of the capital. Finnish people as other Scandinavians usually keep distance, which might be the reason.

[@starvictory7079]

​@@Warmer_BrosNo, it's not true. Swedes report being less lonely than southern Europe. There is a survey and Northern Europe tops the list with the fewest lonely people. Also, Finland isn't Scandinavia. Just call us the Nordics. By the way, Swedes are huggy. People have families and children. There are lots of community organisations and volunteer organisations. People respect other people's physical space though.

[@gaborrajnai6213]

They keep distance until they get drunk, which is literally their everyday thing.@@Warmer_Bros

[@Gabson9]

I`ll tell ya. Because i have to work 128 years without vacation to buy a small one bedroom 30sq metres flat. Thats why im unhappy.

[@Turanic1]

and everything sticks into it : whether you can date girls, whether you can have lone time to study, whether you can sleep normally whether you can feel independent, whether you can have a relationship...

[@cezarstefanseghjucan]

The idea of ownership is outdated. If you base on happiness on owning your own stuff, then there are zero chances in today’s world.

[@cezarstefanseghjucan]

@@Turanic1People need to accept that that is no longer possible. Stop having those outrageous expectations and be happy with what you have.

[@Physicsrodrigo]

​@@cezarstefanseghjucanNope. I will own my large plot of ranch acreage

[@NoahGlanz-sn6eq]

@@cezarstefanseghjucan wtf are you trolling?

[@Lidsgetit]

It's so unfair that our parents could easily buy a house in their 20's just by working for some time .... While I'm here studying and working for years and all i got until is constant disrespect (i work in gastronomy), health issues, anxiety, no free time and 0 money.... Why could it be that young people are depressed ?

[@pervertt]

There's much more to life than buying a house. My parents had their lives upended by war. I am grateful to them, for they gave me the opportunities that they never had.

[@worldupdatechannelinfocus110]

Sis if I may guess you're in Germany 😮

[@Lidsgetit]

@@worldupdatechannelinfocus110 yes 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ryanthompson1981]

Giving birth was the worst thing my parents did to me.

[@wildmouse5888]

I bought a house in my late 20s. It had one bedroom and no air conditioning. Today's young people would sneer at it.

[@roseju3672]

As someone who came from Myanmar ( a country with ongoing civil war), having basic needs like food, clothes, shelter and medicine, people I love, stable political system and freedom to make a few choice will make me happy. I don't even ask for much.

[@gamalfahim3996]

Basic necessities that people in the first world have for granted are the world to us, ha? It's sad that some of the first world countries are actively contributing to our unhappiness for pity reasons like cheaper gas for cars or cheaper chocolate, for example.

[@conorwhite2066]

Appreciation vs expecting and demanding things from life

[@jacqueslee2592]

That war was forced by foreign powers and the legacy of British colonialism. It was already planned a long time ago by British and Americans. This is why British empire prior to decolonization era created hotspots of potential conflicts so that war can quickly erupt just like Israel and Palestinian war was planned when Israel was carved.

[@Chris-pf8by]

As a Finn and according to my subjective views, the trust towards institutions and other Finns play an important role. Also the beautiful, clean nature. Take a tour with your or your friends boat on a nice summer day and you know what I am talking about. But no, Finland and Finns have their problems and the state needs the next Nokia to continue funding its welfare policies (there is universal acceptance of the high taxes needed to fund it for a big part). As for young people, I think this is universal and certainly applies to Finland as well. Too much social media, job insecurity and ever more pressure to excel at everything all the time does not suit everybody.

[@eksbocks9438]

That explains a lot. My country is the exact opposite. And everything is kind of going as you would expect. Unhappy people, Low Trust society, Inequality, and a lot of bullying/abuse getting swept under the rug. Because we put Lassiez-Faire ideas first. So it all just dissolves into endless competition and "dominating" people.

[@meerkats9317]

I have a question for you. Do you guys really go swimming when it is snowing?

[@DillyVesper]

​@@meerkats9317 Yes we do.

[@rizkyadiyanto7922]

@@DillyVesper do you like it? or do you prefer swimming in a tropical island?

[@Chris-pf8by]

@@meerkats9317 I do, at least. Many do in fact ice swimming and it gives you an endorphin rush. Plus it's really not as shocking as you would think, I know many foreigners that have got hooked on it, too.

[@DavidSchneiderIP]

So much emphasis on material things, ie, the "American Dream." Those things cannot bring happiness. I'm 76, have never owned a house, have never had a new car. I'm happy and always have been.

[@user-1rg9f2-g3l6d]

It's not so much the "California-Middle-Class Dream" per se . . . but the extreme pressure to "Keep up with the Joneses".

[@hornsteinhof7592]

I can understand that point of view. But if you would struggle to pay rent despite going through a proper education nowadays, your happiness would likely also be affected.

[@clivec10]

Love it Dave !

[@Yash-fj4ku]

Please share your secret please. What are the basic materialistic things which you need the least to live happily. Coz if you have to pay rent and have good food, you gotta work hard.

[@kingcatx2]

Depends on the person. Have you tried being poor? I lived in a 3rd world poverty and everyone that lived in it didn’t look happy. Money did bring happiness in my life.

[@techcafe0]

Finland's 'Housing First' initiatives are also a contributing factor to their happiness

[@SodaDjinn]

Increasingly old politicians make politics for increasingly old people. Young people suffer from it. It's really that simple.

[@jonaseggen2230]

Also young people are informed about stuff

[@eksbocks9438]

Yeah. It's like a new Aristocratic class. Treating the younger people like serfs, or target practice. They always use the words "weak" or "triggered" as well.

[@yomajo]

So you hear US moved down and this is your conclusion? Rishi Sunak aint old.

[@AndreMonthy]

Yes but due to ageing population there are more old people votes than young.@@yomajo

[@sebastiangabriel219]

@@AndreMonthy agreed. So I think it might be the case with younger politicians as well because of these older generations vote power.

[@bhew7409]

Here in the UK young people have been sold out (I am 40), they cant afford to move out, get a car and go on holidays. Why? Things like high rent are used to fund older peoples lives at the expense of the young. This is due to a lack of government management and pure capitalism funneling resources to the lucky few. If that wasnt bad enough, the older generation dont like the idea of parting with money so things like education and health are not properly funded.

[@revenant7734]

I’m also 40 and from the UK, totally agree with you. I now live in Canada but the cost of living and housing here is also very high.

[@0onpoint]

Oyvey

[@user-sk6qj9yf6w]

I also read that in England thousands of elderly people die from the cold. This is wild to me. Russian pensioners have warm homes, and in winter they sometimes open windows to ventilate their homes.

[@bhew7409]

@@user-sk6qj9yf6w no we had some, so then bought in winter fuel allowances which is a state benefit paid direct to energy companies. It doesn't get much below freezing here very often. Our winters are super mild compared to the rest of northern Europe and Russia.

[@user-sk6qj9yf6w]

@@bhew7409 My company rents me office housing in the Urals, in a new building. In winter, at -25 and windy, I often turn off the heating in my rooms, because it becomes unbearably hot. God knows what technology my apartment building was built on, that it retains heat so well. Yes, unfortunately, not all our houses are like this☹ But no one freezes, occasionally, of course, in some houses there are heating system failures, but the authorities immediately control this and eliminate the shortcomings.

[@perttiheinikko3780]

People here in Finland just don't like to complain. "I've got two hands and feet left so I guess that makes me happy" . Don't take those happiness reports too seriously.

[@MrElmag12]

I really like and respect Finns, when you live in a place like England where people are always moaning and complaining about everything and being so entitled, you'll start to appreciate what you have up there in Finland.

[@Dr_DrumsMD]

when things work you don’t complain

[@herratossavainen2320]

Exactly, the key to happiness is having extremely low expectations.

[@RabidPrairieDog]

To put it simply, at least in the United States, young people are unhappy because of the widening gap between rich and poor, which was greatly expanded during the pandemic. Homeowners and those who could afford houses became wealthier, and those without the means or opportunities to purchase a home are stuck in the rent cycle rut. Home ownership is the biggest way people expand their wealth.

[@augustoliver2779]

It’s hard to be happy when thriving is no longer a possibility, mass layoffs, toxic workplace environments, wars, etc.

[@stoneneils]

You're thriving right now buddy, you're just too spoield / brainwashed by media to appreciate it.

[@sevenfights]

Here in the US, the cost of living is crushing people.

[@user-sk6qj9yf6w]

There are 50,000,000 beggars in the USA. You don't have to lie to me that they made their choice. It’s just that in the USA people are expensive. Human life in the USA is incredibly expensive. This is luxury. Therefore, no one needs tens of millions

[@flesz_]

It's ok Billionaires are fine

[@sealwheel]

i cant even joke about it its probably going to be the death of me

[@nathansharma87]

Add Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada and England to that list.

[@Eddy12383]

And racism

[@iza-q7z]

I used to live in the United States for almost 11 years, and two things I can say most people in America are sad and aggressive, in other words, very lonely and isolated. I'm grateful that I live in the Netherlands now, and I am super content and happy now.

[@deathwarmedup73]

People in Holland are really happy because windmills !!

[@FluxNomad678]

I think we've taken our view of American rugged individualism to an extreme it's getting kind of ridiculous

[@Navy35]

@@FluxNomad678those Nordic countries definitely had rugged individualism. Look at their Viking roots. Feminist and wokeism really made countries like Canada and America almost unbearably

[@yesimemoin0935]

Americans are much warmer and friendlier than almost any Northern Europeans. This happiness index is basically a proxy for economic stability.

[@saleemrazasaleem8234]

Can you tell the root cause behind the sadness and isolation?

[@darinherrick9224]

Freedom to own weapons, loads of drug use, corporations running the government, and large portion of population in prison makes you unhappy? You don’t say! Low tax rates, welfare for rich people doesn’t make you happy? How can that be?

[@aryannahar]

freedom to own weapons, low taxes (taxes are absolutely NOT low for anyone in The US), business intereference in gov, and laws that will get you imprisoned always existed in America, and yet you use those as reasons for unhappiness. So you would strip freedoms away, and steal more from hard workers, and you think that solves problems in The US? It possibly can't be the rising atheism, high immigration (changing neighborhoods and rising costs due to a larger population), lack of the nuclear family and horrible eating habits right? Yeah, blame guns instead of food and pharma companies poisoning people, and the government changing the outlook of the country.

[@judykinsman3258]

And don’t discount unhappiness from watching the democracy being replaced by an oligarchy with a few increasingly wealthy while most are becoming unable to afford daily existence needs.

[@NotANameist]

23rd bro 23rd

[@solomongrundy1467]

​@aryannahar I agree with everything you said except blaming atheism for this. If religion is the key to happiness, things would've never gotten to this point. Nearly 100% of the population were religious in the past.

[@dankfarrik8376]

​@@aryannaharFU man being atheist has given me more freedom in thinking than being religious ever could. In fact being an atheist gives you more to live for since you know that this is it. Nothing comes after. Unlike you I live in country at #5 on the happiness list. For a few years now we are more secular than religious. Religion is on the decline all over (Northern) Europe and we are the happiest nations in the world.

[@ORO323]

Buying a nice house is near impossible. A college/university degree isn’t worth much anymore (depends on major and if you have connections). Many young people still live with their parents. Many graduates come out with debt and focus on that rather than start families. Having kids is expensive. Lack of guaranteed and lengthy maternity/paternity leave. Healthcare system will bankrupt you if you’re in an accident or get sick. Many of us are not happy.

[@JohnSmith-xx9th]

That sounds like a horrible country to live in. Not to mention all the processed junk food being consumed. Constant gut infections.

[@lil----lil]

Buy! Buy! Buy! Buy! Buy! Buy! Everyday you're remined to BUY! More! How can you NOT be unhappy?

[@dagmarvandoren9364]

Richtig...buy buy....form your seele.....discover true schonheit.....love god un the name of christ....stay clean. Respect yourself...smell good

[@user-sk6qj9yf6w]

@@dagmarvandoren9364 Europeans always smelled bad🤣

[@user-sk6qj9yf6w]

@@dagmarvandoren9364 There is always constant unsanitary conditions, which is why epidemics used to kill a lot of people

[@user-sk6qj9yf6w]

@@dagmarvandoren9364 Macron would rather destroy bedbugs in his hotels than send troops somewhere....

[@user-sk6qj9yf6w]

@@dagmarvandoren9364 When I heard that France is full of bed bugs, I was very surprised. In Russia, I don’t know what bed bugs look like.

[@helenaalto8799]

I'm a Finn. I think the main point here is not Finland, it is Nordic Countries. Our societies are stable and safe, for most of us, not for all.

[@q1337]

I have a feeling the same cannot be said for Sweden, at least since a while back.

[@Connmy]

Not just in West, youngsters in the East also struggle and depressed too

[@user-1rg9f2-g3l6d]

That's because the official motto there "Study hard, work hard - make money - drive a luxury car, marry a young, beautiful woman, have lots of sons - and then people will admire and respect you . . . If NOT, a person is considered a failure, a loser, a nobody, and no one will be his (or her) friend.

[@ilsedemolder3973]

Which cpuntries in the East are that?

[@sannekuys5061]

They always been depressed nothing new

[@Freedomrocksusa]

They aleays have been in struggle eastern europe is bad always has always been poor and will be until people there get a sense of what freedom is private property and education gets better because you cant be happy in dictatorships

[@abishekamahanama4751]

Absolutely! As someone from the East! I literally cringe myself when many think that the Eastern world is happy with little to no mental health issues whatsoever.

[@Allaiya.]

I’d say it’s the housing crisis mostly. High fixed costs means less discretionary spending. Plus social media & comparisons at a young age doesn’t help imo. And the move around from small town communities into expensive and cramped cities

[@victortoba-ogunleye4056]

"There is not more Extremely Happy people but less Extremely unhappy people"

[@crispypappadums]

This

[@sinceresong9907]

omg

[@JustDinosaurBones]

they're all hopped up on SSRIs over there in Scandinavia, not exactly a "natural" happiness lol

[@beamerboy420]

@@JustDinosaurBonesso what? at least they have access to it

[@MJ-uk6lu]

@@JustDinosaurBonesAt least they are diagnosed, not many other countries can do that.

[@ryanfillmore]

as a mid-40's Canadian, extremely high cost of living, excessive taxation, stagnant/minimal wage growth and a continuously shrinking amount of disposable income, is directly related to lower happiness levels. Since I started working full time in 2001, the Canadian governments have failed to take the necessary steps to reduce cost of living issues, stagnant wages and lowering the taxation burden that Gen X, Y & Millennials face due to policies that catered to business and the baby boomer generation. We're left with the debt, bills & burden of epic government incompetence of the 60's, 70's, 80's & 90's.

[@user-sk6qj9yf6w]

So we need to help Ukraine more!🤣 And your life, dude, will get better (sarcasm) Everything will immediately become cheaper, your salary will increase several times, and coconuts will grow near your house🤣

[@bramposthumus9300]

@@user-sk6qj9yf6w Genocide fanboi detected.

[@stevenhenry5267]

You did ok until you whined about taxes

[@Andre_XX]

@@user-sk6qj9yf6wRussian bot alert!

[@asparrow9876]

Leave Canada. I did, best decision ever.

[@MZMA85]

Being addicted to social medias ----> excessive release of dopamine ----> neuro tansmitter imbalance in brain ----> mental illness (major depression, personality disorders etc) What to do : Disengage from your cell phones. Exercise a lot & engage in meaningful relationships

[@YukiNakamura]

"engage in meaningful relationships" that's easier said than done considering human relationships worsened in quality because of the internet... I am a loner myself...

[@TravisPluss]

Outdoor hobbies and dating are too expensive. Screen time is a coping mechanism with poor outcomes.

[@dbuc4671]

@@YukiNakamura ok but its the truth and needs to be said, even if its a harsh reality. a happy life means healthy social connections among other things, its really an issue these days

[@nehalilisays]

People still get mental health issues from trauma and neglect that has nothing to do with social media. Too much is unhealthy of course but I would say it's a way more productive coping mechanism than alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Depends on what you search for and interact with though.

[@HabitualJoker]

@@TravisPlusswalking outside is nearly free. Hiking is almost just as free. Disk golf is like $20 total. Don’t make excuses.

[@jedics1]

Knowing you will be working that full time souless job for life to pay for a basic roof over your head that your never at because your at work isn't exactly a recipe for happiness...

[@sakshambhadoria9998]

The younger people are unhappy because of multi-dimensional reasons. The first reason is financial insecurity. The cost of living is soaring and inflation is increasing by the day. It is becoming harder and tougher to get a decent job with medium to high salary and perks like travel allowances, 4 or 5 day work week and retirement benefits. The second reason is social media addiction and bullying at schools, colleges and even workplaces. The teens are becoming hard wired to look a certain way or behave in a manner deemed appropriate by the society or to look cool or fancy. The lack of purpose in life is also blurred as a casualty of this epidemic. The young pupils are also disillusioned by seeing the "perfect life" of others on their digital profiles. The third reason is the tearing apart of families and social values. With families becoming smaller and busier youngsters belonging to gen Z have no one to talk their heart to or get advice from. Many slip into the bad company because of this communication vacuum. Depression,anxiety and trauma are becoming more and more prevalent among the youth. It's about time there needs, priorities, anxieties,hopes and aspirations are catered to.

[@isaza5716]

I´m in my mid thirtys and my parents are close to the boomers. Trust me, ... i cannot "talk my heart" because of comuniaction issues from the older generation... its not only GenZ...

[@user-es2su1rw7p]

You're torally right. That is sooo true. I can't agree more..

[@sacphilip]

Equality and safety. Probably the most important imo

[@eksbocks9438]

Lack of hostility is always the big indicator. Not only does it improve social mobility. But it doesn't hold back a community from working stuff out either. That's why people are usually more unhappy in conflict zones.

[@StuunZ]

equality? Surely this is a joke. If only the world were all equal. LMFAO

[@wherethequietbeingsgo]

People aren’t willing to dismantle societal constructs that has had the world in a chokehold for many years.

[@sacphilip]

@@StuunZ hearing that equality is important made you laugh your *** out?

[@davidtran2026]

​@sacphilip everyone knows equality in America is a myth.

[@lotuseater7247]

Happiness is just so overrated. It's been rammed down our throats so much in the past couple of decades. What we should strive for is an interesting life, with the right level of challenges, and the knowledge that there is always something to look forward to. Happiness is always fleeting and hard to measure qualitatively. Maybe they just ask Finnish people on Fridays, and Germans on Mondays.

[@innoennce]

I live in Germany, costs of everyrhing raising. The most brutal thing when tax just slashes 30% of yours earned money. You can invent bicycle however you want, but still money is happyness regulator, you like it ir not. Im also thinking about somehow achieving my dream to buy my own apartment at least, but the prices ar sky rocketing.

[@cynthiakazmierzski8144]

I lived between Canada and Germany between 2013-2019, and I saw that the cost of living in both our countries has skyrocketed so much in that time, and with that, there is a noticeable decline in mood and vibe, and people are more stressed out and less optimistic about the future. I used to think both countries had many opportunities, but it doesn't feel like that anymore. I hope we get some better times soon. Viel Glück.

[@eddgrs9193]

True, but you should be happy to pay billions for unproductive immigrants, who stay in government founded housing, that lead to the increased cost of living in Germany. Right ?

[@boxfresh04]

If it's just 30% you are lucky my friend, 42% over here :/

[@theskyehiker]

The top four are all social democracies. They pay high taxes but they also have most services available to them, free.

[@soundscape26]

You pay them with taxes which means they're not free but it's a good system.

[@ryanthompson1981]

​@soundscape26 it's a perfect system when you stand it up next to the US system

[@soundscape26]

​@@ryanthompson1981Of course it is.

[@user-sk6qj9yf6w]

Free cheese in a mousetrap

[@antixdevelopment1416]

Exactly, whereas here in New Zealand which somehow managed to be listed as 11th happiest we are way less "socially democratic". Successive governments continue to cut spending on social issues, instead focusing on whatever trend they are following for the day in a vain attempt to get re elected next time round.

[@flavius_stilichon4707]

Because some of us are chronically lonely, with shity jobs and without girlfriend and porpuse.

[@YukiNakamura]

Can relate 100%

[@marianasalles242]

We are living in a sick era, society…

[@scanpolar]

1. LOW LEVEL OF CORRUPTION 2. FUTURE FOR CHILDREN LOOKS ALWAYS POSITIVE . 3 POLICE AND GOVERNMENT . YOU CAN TRUST ON THEM .

[@eksbocks9438]

Their neighbors aren't hostile either. Plus, they share a common culture. With the same expectations and path in life. Finland is basically just a well-managed rural village. Instead of a failed Lassiez-Faire social experiment.

[@kut9682]

​@@eksbocks9438Russian neighbours not being hostile? Russia is conducting hybrid warfare against Finland by infesting their borders with asylum seekers. A statement regarding a similar culture is also fairly bold.

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

people offing themselves?

[@MarcaoPT]

One thing Germans should be ecstatic about is that they have DW News and DW Documentary. Can't speak highly enough of the quality of journalism delivered by these news channels.

[@meilinchan7314]

I don't know, people blame mass media for all the ills in the world. Try looking at the cartoonist Michael Leunig from Australia, for instance.

[@davidtran2026]

Yeah that alone makes them better off. That and the very polarizing political environment we have in the states now.

[@AlZ-oy4si]

I'm 35, and for me it's the massive and increasing gap between the wonders that are eminently possible technologically/economically, versus the pittance that we're constantly told is possible politically/culturally.

[@Domini_k]

Surprised the UK isn't in the report, it's depressing and it's hard to keep motivated when the future looks bleak.

[@soundscape26]

The UK came at number 20.

[@kamranbaig6305]

Why are you suprised bro

[@NihilisticJawbreaker]

Another thing we need to understand about Nordic countries is that they are generally much more homogenous than countries like the US and Germany. Generally, they don't have to deal with much of the unrest seen in these other places because they don't have the diversity of these other areas.

[@shamakuma1967]

Diversity is toxic.Its difficult to assimilate or unify.

[@NikZechel]

Working 9-5, 5 days a week, or more. Not much for holiday time. Need to take more after countries like Sweden, etc..

[@veggienugnugs]

TLDR- it's capitalism, the climate breakdown it's causing, and the hoarding of resources.

[@blackmetalreki]

bingo!

[@richardbloemenkamp8532]

Hoarding of real-estate is the new game. If the majority of the real-estate is owned by a small group, then they can push the rent sky-high increasing the value of the real-estate further without end. It appears like a new form of slavery. Fortunately in France we have a maximum rent per square meter.

[@aaronjones4465]

I’m American our lives no longer rotate around family, fun, and being content. We now only care about money and fame.

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

mostly, *mostly* money

[@Julebstube]

And you are exporting it... my young kids want to be famous youtubers here in Denmark. By the way I´m not at all happy, but I know I would probably be worse of in another country.

[@jacqueslee2592]

@@Julebstube It is a modern invention Europe prior to post-WW2 was not entirely happy at all. Europe was a battlefield, wars, genocides. Pan-Europeanism is a post-war invention that US as child of the West, as it considers itself the descendant of Western civilization, established. The Industrial Period was also a miserable world to be in if you were not the elite of Europe. The majority of Europeans lived in squalor throughout the Industrial era. The middle-class European or American, which is the representative of the happy index, is a modern invention that started to exist in the 20th century up to the present. This is to say that happiness as a social construct or sociological phenomenon is relatively new.

[@davidtran2026]

You forgot being politically correct.

[@mrrmrr7917]

there is also a difference in how different cultures think of "happy." The US (where I am) tends to not think of contentment as "happy," where other countries do. Contentment in the US, is just being "okay" or maybe slightly higher than neutral

[@chrislambaa7586]

I think most in Scandinavia feels the same. This survey is not just based on emotions. But subject like, if you trust your goverment. Which is very high I Scandinavia. I'm not sure about the USA, but I could imagine they score lower on government satisfaction.

[@ashy969]

The survey people have to fill out does not ask about happiness. It is called a life evaluation survey. You have statements given about your life and you have to rank how true they feel for you (now and 5 years from now) - You have to imagine the best possible life you could have and set that as 10 while the worst as 0. Call it a contentment survey if you like. But it is not just asking people if they're happy... So the definition of that word is irrelevant. But I think, in the US many confuse happiness with joy. They want to have that high strung, good feeling you get when you enjoy something or get something you wanted and such. That is however not a sustainable state of being. Contentment is a state of being where you have enough (of whatever or in general). Happiness goes beyond contentment but all the same is a constant state and so not as extatic as joy . What makes people happy might defer but what it is in itself should not. Psychology defined (based on observation) what makes people feel like they thrive, struggle or suffer and that is what this survey measures. People answering 7+ for their current life and 8+ regarding the expected future are thriving. And most respondents seem to thrive in Finland. They still have wants and issues (depression, loneliness and such the most).

[@cosmicpsyops4529]

Corporate interests supercede the interests of the general public. It can't last.

[@santostv.]

In my country we aren´t happy because of low wages for european standards, public sectors degradation , almost no career progression, most wages are rubbing close to min wage, housing crisis indirect problems are corruption, government and business rubbing shoulders, we are threated as second class citizens in our own country, the government sold our country for tourism,high and slow burocracy,aging population preventing progress among other chronic problems

[@chihirostargazer6573]

Portugal?

[@santostv.]

@@chihirostargazer6573 obviously 😂

[@xrfa7422]

It's more ethnically homogenous and people trust each other more. Smaller, more ethnically homogenous countries have happier people.

[@adamravasz6236]

Hungary is ethnically homogeneous, but people of hungary don't trust each other.

[@mariamart_0]

So you’re saying multiculturalism is not compatible with democracy, western culture, and western values…lol Yet you guys are complaining about DEI policies taking away your careers and jobs for economic immigrants from non White countries and y’all always love to blame Islam and Arabs..for why these developed countries are decaying..

[@KB-je4vu]

Don´t aim for happiness. Aim for peace of mind!

[@goodgirlvicki]

I totally agree!

[@SamuelincaElinca]

We can barely afford food at home. We all work like mules. Why might young people be depressed?

[@Tom_Quixote]

As a Dane, I find it so depressing that we are still only the second happiest nation in the world :(

[@davidtran2026]

If that's the only thing making you depressed then I envy you.

[@can1687]

Poor you Dane 😂

[@Juliendiesdegelendies]

No One mentions Bhutan also as Happiness Country in the world where Happiness comes from Spirituality Inside every human... This indicate that Happiness still measured by Materialism

[@tatjana7008]

you are not in "Western Europe and Scandinavia" club, therefore not relevant. I know many countries than happier than Germany, they are not on top this list because criteria has West bias. Its purpose is only further increase immigration wave to their countries, from which only billionaires profit

[@DMJ-01]

Happiness is to live well and with a good perspective and security throughout your life. Stability.

[@B.D.E.]

Have you tried asking them instead of telling them?

[@bramposthumus9300]

Not everybody uses your methodology, bro. In fact, most people don't.

[@flesz_]

Good one

[@B.D.E.]

@@bramposthumus9300 Being a competent, empathetic, respectful human being who understands that their voice is valuable is a methodology? News to me. I would agree with you that most people lack the skills needed to find out what problems people are truly facing though, and that is indeed one reason so many people are unhappy.

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

@@B.D.E.or because they push an agenda or two. journalism has went complete dogwater after the inception of the internet, kinda

[@udeepshakya]

From my experience of living 5 years in Finland, I would rather say Finland would be one of the most worryless countries. (if there is a word like that). No worries = happiness?

[@DSAK55]

They're happy because they know they don't live in the US.

[@DavidSchneiderIP]

Less unhappy people, not more happy people.

[@eddgrs9193]

The Nordic countries have high suicide rates. The unhappy people take themselves out, leaving a higher percentage of happy people.

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

@@eddgrs9193this. media must cite this as well. a severe reformation towards journalism around the world is mandatory at this point

[@theonlycaulfield]

​@@eddgrs9193The US has a higher suicide rate than any of the Nordic or Finnic countries.

[@_permanence]

“Young people in the US and Australia are unhappy because they’re depressed and anxious”. That’s the symptom, not the cause there, Einstein 🙄. How about zero hope of being able to buy a home or support a family, working dead-end jobs, and governments that don’t care about them…

[@henaimtiyaz4189]

My father lived in Denmark and came across some of the warmest danish people during his doctoral study at Copenhagen University. Nice and warm people, no wonder its ranked second on the happiness index.

[@Blackjack09721]

Because the West tends to put value in material objects, generally speaking. With that in mind, there are fewer material objects being had by younger individuals when compared to those who are older.

[@tatjana7008]

true, my colleagues have 3 vacations to exotic countries every year, but still unhappy because "they can't afford own home in Munich"

[@rizkyadiyanto7922]

@@tatjana7008 should have bought a house in those exotic countries and have vacation forever.

[@dianaw9098]

I live in Finland since 2003 and I can say it’s absolutely no equality in Finland

[@val-schaeffer1117]

If you are a Taxi driver, you are happier in Finland and Sweden. If you are a Urologist, you are happier in USA. There are more taxi driver than Urologist, so Finland and Sweden rank higher. Does not mean, there is one rule of happiness.

[@guilhermereis9520]

GIVE US A LINK TO THE RANKING!!

[@MrErick1160]

Finish people are happy because they're paid to go to school, they're paid to go to uni. And the state of the economy is incredibly good.

[@hornsteinhof7592]

Why are western young ppl unhappy? My gf and me saw an add yesterday for appartments in our area and the cheapest was 1.6 Mio Euro. If we could afford to pay 3000 Euro for living a month with our combined salary (which we can't, despite having a respectable education), we would still need 45 years to pay that sum off - without factoring in interest. I'd be dead before we fully own the appartment according to our life expectancy. Naturally, we don't want to raise kids because we feel like we couldn't afford them. Where is affordable housing for young families? Where is our money? Big companies keep posting great profits and we struggle to afford a place to live. My grandfather had a farm with 4 cows and bought two houses and two appartments over his working life from the farm earnings. Work doesn't feel worthwile nowadays, like the money goes to someone else's pocket, but surely not into the ones of young professionals.

[@ray076NL]

well, everyone wanted immigration and femminism, so here we are.

[@robbenvanpersie1562]

Elites wanted it not everyone ​@@ray076NL

[@Raevnard]

Happiness indexes are pretty much just glorified HDI rankings. Additionally, much of why the Nordic countries are constantly ranking so high is that they aren’t really asking people coming from different life positions, but only the people already doing well within the system, and personally for themselves. But as a Dane, melancholy certainly exists in strength, and deeper than even a lot of Danes, or fellow Nordics, are willing to admit.

[@stevenhenry5267]

Ridiculous

[@shahlabadel8628]

agree!

[@kunalnichani1]

Is this a joke?? Here is our list of Top countries with most antidepressant users in the world. Norway Finland Italy Sweden Austri Luxembourg Germany Our world is a joke. The countries with highest usage of anti depressant medicines are being termed the happiest. It doesnt get any more dystopian than this.

[@gdriscoll4947]

They are not overpopulated

[@NewVoiceMMI]

Stop illegal immigrations to America and Germany, which deteriorates the social fabric, causes general lawlessness and unfairness, which triggers anxiety for the future. Young people suffer from such hopelessness and unhappiness. Law is the foundation of a good government. No?

[@meilinchan7314]

If you stamped out illegal migration, your economies will falter and inflation will only shoot up faster!

[@koushikdas1992]

Then tell about Sweden.

[@1112viggo]

Why should people be more happy when life generally gets worse? Each generation people have worked hard and payed taxes and as a result their children have had a better life with more wealth and freedom than they had. This progress seems to have stagnated and in some areas even reversed. Despite countries getting richer and developing better technologies etc less and less of the wealth it creates is trickling down to benefit the average person.

[@EyFmS]

Here in Canada it's the access to affordable housing. The previous generations took a massive dump on the newer ones because of their greed and it will be an interesting situation once the boomers hit the old age. Lots of people will be left to die alone...

[@ButterflyG673]

Canadá, Israel, UK and Costa Rica being high on the list is a total lie 😂😂

[@jeangonzalezhidalgo1815]

Uhmm not so true, I'm from Costa Rica and people do live pretty happy not so streesful lives over here :) - if you are high/mid income, then you get paid well enough and you have plenty to do on the weekends (hiking/beach etc) Also CR we don't have an army so we don't have to worry about wars

[@isaza5716]

I think Costa Rica is true, but the others... not really.

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

israel and the uk are obvious

[@masterkraft4746]

Canada ... lol

[@jumbothompson]

@@masterkraft4746 Canada is the most overrated country. It's gotten a lot of unwarranted good PR for a lot of years. Free health care bla bla. More and more people are leaving the country and the new immigrants that are coming in are disappointed and dissatisfied.

[@sundaysunshine-nt1rw]

The more Islam in any country = Unhappiness

[@Timo-qb1gf]

If you are content with less and having a very mediocre, safe, and stable life with 6 months of winter but clean nature Finland is perfect for you. If you strive for more its not the place to be.

[@normanchan2001]

Seems kinda odd that these same countries also top the list of depression, loneliness and use of antipsychotic drugs. I also find it kinda odd to add GDP and weigh it high in whatever methodology they used.

[@starvictory7079]

Your source is...?

[@normanchan2001]

@@starvictory7079 Eurostat data browser. It shows Iceland #1, Sweden #3, Denmark #6 and Finland #9 for chronic depression. Iceland #1 for antidepressants.

[@fnorgen]

Part of that is easy to explain. It feels more isolating to be depressed when everyone around you is so damn cheerful all the time, and you just can't feel any of it. Also, the long dark winters really mess a lot of people up. It's no wonder they're munching antidepressants up on Iceland! It might also have something to do about the rate of diagnosis vs real rate. I live in Norway, and most of my friends have had treatment for one mental health problem or another at some point, meaning a lot of them have had some diagnosis. You can argue whether that's a good thing or not, but most of them seem decently happy these days. We're mostly just complaining about excessive property prices. Other than that things are going fairly well. Basically you can measure a high level of general happiness, and a high rate of mental problems at the same time. It's not necessarily a paradox.

[@normanchan2001]

I'm just saying that the dataset is flawed and that true measurements of happiness should not include economic factors and should rather focus on real problems that regular people face each day. I would hypothesize that you'll find lower income or less "developed" nations would rank much higher and European countries to rank near the bottom.@@fnorgen

[@fnorgen]

@@normanchan2001 that's not impossible, though I'd be weary of over romanticising poorer countries. No doubt life there is better in some meaningful ways, but there's a reason why people tend to move to wealthier countries when given the opportunity, and you don't see nearly as many people going the other way. Those material factors matter quite a lot. It's just that a lot of them come with severely diminishing returns.

[@tavaresemanuel640]

Low level of corruption, well functioning institutions, good social welfare, good level of equality, good GDP, well functioning government. No wonder all the countries at the top are Nordic countries.

[@simplicitas5113]

As a Finn, read The Power of Now and go to nature

[@BrokenSoulConfession]

Not just in the west, I say. In the WORLD. Everything has catapulted to unreasonable prices while the job market doesn't offer the income to balance that. Many young people are stressed out just trying to make a living.

[@yongbinsong9676]

Ironically, the happiest nations have the highest intake of anti-depressant.

[@mark9294]

Why is that ironic? Sounds like a plausible correlation

[@agemmm]

That's pretty normal. When everyone around you is happy you are more likely to feel even more depressed.

[@criscollignon8965]

I'm pretty sure the cause of this evasions is caused by Capitalism

[@chrislambaa7586]

​@agemmm exactly. There have actually been studies on this and it showed exactly what you describe.

[@soundscape26]

Probably related to SAD.

[@BocaoZ]

The happiest countries are also among the highest in antidepressant consumption.

[@Chris-pq3wp]

Yes these statistics are bs. The Scandinavian countries have the highest suicide rates in Europe

[@guru47pi]

I listened to the whole report to hear a data driven reason why young people are historically unhappy, and their answer was "people under 30 are more depressed" . No info at all. I'll venture a guess from experience, though: economic insecurity, student loans, cost of living outpacing income for decades, especially healthcare, school, and housing. Social media and broken political systems. Almost no hope to slow climate change. We see a world where the ladder has been pulled up. Our job is essentially to pay for our parents' retirement with less money and a degraded and unstable environment, then those same systems will be bankrupt by the time we need them. At the same time, a handful of old people have all the wealth, and write the laws to make sure they don't pay any taxes to change this relentless slide of an ever-smaller middle class and worse govt services every year. Yes, these basic issues have always existed to a degree, but they feel more dire then ever, largely bc of climate change and broken politics.

[@gfys756]

You live in the most prosperous and safe time period in human history. Don't be a doomer incel.

[@isaza5716]

@@gfys756 Thats not true....

[@gfys756]

@@isaza5716 Yeah it is. We live in the easiest time period in human history.

[@isaza5716]

@@gfys756 Where is your data? I would say the easiest time period was before we have seetled... there was the beginning of taxes, possesion, crime and generall politics... ( i can write more. Just as examples)

[@gfys756]

@@isaza5716 Historically low crime statistics, historically low infant/mother mortality rates, historically low levels of warfare, improved living conditions and higher wages for the most poverty stricken, higher levels of gender and racial equality. These are only a few of the metrics that indicate that humans are living a much easier and convenient life compared to our ancestors.

[@salkoharper2908]

In England, where I live, there is a feeling among a lot of young people that the best times are behind us. That our parents lived at Britain's peak. Now is just the decline. It is obvious and in our faces ever day that the Govt don't care about the future. They only care about Gold. The politicians have become so corrupted they are just empty vessels that are owned by Billionaires and Bankers. They only work for them now. This is why the City of London is richer than ever in history, but much of the rest of England is dying. The politicians try to supress wages of the young even further with mass migration. This inflates rents/house prices even higher. Being young in England now feels like you are under attack from your own Govt and corrupt politicians.

[@neilcook1652]

If your generation became less woke and entitled, applied yourselves more, whilst leveraging the advantages that you take so much for granted, then you’d be more resilient and less battered by the realities of grown up life.

[@PhokenKuul]

Germany and the US sliding down in happiness, two places where the far right is starting to take power. Not a coincidence.

[@xMaoxoaMx]

Not suprising, since most problems are related to leftist policies.

[@gfys756]

Where is this "far-right" taking power? Germany is going to ban their right wing party, and the USA is putting Trump in prison. Where are they "taking power"?

[@unme4728]

I would suggest that it is the polarization and the consequent breakdown in trust and among citizens that is the problem, not either political party per se. Nefarious powers, including foreign, have been instigating this polarization for years: "Divide and conquer." We must not allow them to do this. And, the right is not "starting to take power" in the U.S. Don't be afraid, but do vote (BLUE). Be well. ❤

[@PhokenKuul]

@@unme4728 Significantly you said "the right is not "starting to take power" ", I purposely differentiated to specify the far right. After all, the Democratic Party is a center-right party.

[@AJ-hi9fd]

I would say the West has been taken over by the Marxist Left and it’s time to shift more to the right.

[@chianchen776]

I think it’s worth pointing out that moving to a happy indexed place won’t make you happier. Living in Finland was really disastrous and disappointing for me the first 1.5 years, and then I slowly learned from my Finnish friends how to be content with what’s given in life, and not to think too much (se on elämää). I think weirdly Finland, despite the alcoholic and drug problem underground, is the most Buddhist country out there to me. The place I came from people would trade their souls to “have a better life”, look better, live up to the impossible standards, things that would make a human unhappy but feeds the ego. And after living in Finland I’m now unbelievably happy with my home country, like wtf, it’s actually an incredible place? I now believe you don’t “need” index 10 clean air to be happy, just like in Finland you don’t “need” above uvb 3 sunshine to be happy, it’s how you be at peace with them.

[@pitchforkparty]

In the US, younger people have been isolating from peers because of the prevalence pf smart phones. And while on those gadgets, they're soaking in social media's "outrage algorithm." This monetizes your sense of outrage by feeding you articles that keep you engaged on the platform. Articles that say everything is racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. So their impression of the world is negative. Also, in America, the declining standards of living are becoming more apparent to all.

[@8ofwands300]

Finland has a population of 5 million. USA has 360 million people. Perhaps it would make more sense to compare tiny European nations with comparable individual states in the U.S.? I'm not defending the U.S. There's no question we are at a very difficult place of division and disunity and therefore I'm not surprised we rank lower in the happiness index.

[@user-xs8vr5yr4z]

How about the level of suicides and anti-depressants in the Nordic countries?

[@debbietodd8547]

These countries also have the Freedom to Roam law in place as well, we are charged to death for every commodity in North America and you can hardly step anywhere without worrying your on private property. But I still feel that it comes right down to having the peace of mind that comes with not having to worry about a roof over your head, how to pay for medical or even find a primary caregiver these days, good food, education and not having to stay in an abusive job situation to survive. This brings happiness. We have none of these in place in Canada for anyone other than the wealthy.

[@zeuline1]

Weird that video about young people and young people (under 30) are happier (no.1) in Lithuania. But not even mentioned this fact. Go Lithuania go!

[@tatjana7008]

well because its not in "Western Europe and Scandinavia" club. There were good results from other countries but it won't look good for their superiority

[@rizkyadiyanto7922]

@@tatjana7008 > Western Europe and Scandinavia you mean the Aryan race?

[@20maxilo]

Bottom line . They are happier because they don't live in us.. I live in US and I'm 36 this year. No house and my job pays very little.. you can't get ahead in us unless you have mom and dad money or you grew up in the 70s or 60s... now nobody can get ahead.. I know at least 3 30 somethings living with their parents.. it's bad and getting worst

[@thewanderdire]

Bcz we are too obsessed about materialism and we don't believe in anything

[@jacqueslee2592]

Happiness as a social construct or sociological phenomenon is relatively new. Not all countries in Europe prior to the post-WW2 era were happy places to live in if you were not the elite. The industrial era attests to how the common people lived in misery through out the Industrial era. Pan-Europeanism also did not exist prior to the post-WW2 era. What we measure as indexes of happiness started to exist only in the 20th century, briefly before WW1 and then after WW2.

[@sukhkaur9440]

Ground realities are far different than statistical reports or indices

[@earnthis1]

Enormous wealth inequality hurts the economy and societies happiness. Notice that countries with a large middle class AND countries where everyone is poor tend to rank fairly equally.

[@robertmoskal5345]

We have de- authorised the knowing of the heart as a culture and we have a doughnut size hole in there. That's why there is so much unnecessary suffering and we feel unwhole. But it is that knowing that sets the compass, assigns real value to our efforts and deploys the strategic capability of the head, not the other way round. Nowhere is this clearer than with young adults. The addiction and depression statistics in the west go through the roof. There is very little in this culture that supports our mental health and plenty that undermines it. In a healthy culture the rules of social interaction allow for playfulness, for belonging, fot safety and eventually for co- regulation. Our happiness and well being are interpersonal, not individual because there is not such thing as an individual without "others' - without relational context. This individualistic, transactional, money obsessed culture is just too painful to be present in for many people. Especially young people. I would argue that our trust in our system is determined by the degree to which we feel that we belong to it. And it is just hard to belong to a transactional system. That is way the west is so toxic as a culture. It is organised in a way that is antithetical to meeting human needs. We know well how our mental health, our stress levels, our immunity, our physiology are dependent on our social relationships. We simply need other people to be healthy. Yet, this system induced crisis of separation is affecting our sense of social safety. Lonely people die sooner, have more stress related autoimmune diseases and also heart disease, cancer and mental health issues. We live in a toxic system. With adolescence comes spiritual hunger and the degree to which a young person's spiritual core can be supported protects them against depression and addiction. I think the same applies to older adults, although most of us have given up on spiritual quest and become bitter and nihilistic. This is the form of disaggregation of our true self, this is why we feel unwhole. The young person hungers for a meaningful connection for spiritual illumination, for a teacher. If it is not there, they often go for a substitute such as an addiction. Addicts are often lost spiritual seekers. It is precisely that yearning, that emptiness, that hole that leads them towards "soothing ". And this thinking based, distractions based, material stuff based society offers just that.

[@PatrykPonichtera]

What "Happy" countries have is being able to live a basic dignifying life, without the need to be rich

[@kmmk292929]

we're so unhappy because life is too expensive to live, it's all just work work work, barely staying afloat

[@arnaupuig5097]

Well, I do stay afloat, and I even save some money each month.

[@FelineTomfoolery69]

@@arnaupuig5097 No one asked you

[@Joaopedro-mb8vo]

I am a teenager... So I am feeling that The Chat GPT or AI is the cause of the social anxiety in all the contries! Because all the moment there is a lot of speeches like " this job won't exist more in the next two years".... Nowadays we need to improve all the time because we don't know as difficult will be to find a good job. It's really hard times!! 😂😂😢😢 I'm laughing to not cry!

[@wafflingmean4477]

I live in Australia. I'm 24. I will never be allowed to own my own home. My generation has to pay twenty times the amount for a home (and EVERYTHING else) than our parents did. And when we try to tell older generations this, at best most of them laugh at us even when we show them housing prices, and how they do not even come close to lining up with inflation and wage increases. They're either wilfully ignorant or downright sadistic. I have nearly died multiple times due to the neglect of landlords and real estate agents (who I can't escape because I made the crucial financial mistakes of not being born rich, and not investing a decade before I was even born). And if I was rich enough to sue, I'd just buy my own house. After the first year of renting my current apartment, my rent rose from its original number by 7%. The next year, it increased by 27% of that original. The housing crisis has gotten worse, not better. And renters have literally no protections. So I can expect the rate of increase for my rent to quadruple again. So next year I will be paying more than double what I originally leased this apartment for. And I'm living in a cheaper area. This will not get better by moving, not to mention it is now becoming normal to be competing for leases with 50+ other potential occupants. The landlord will just take whoever offers them the most money. Neither of the two most powerful political parties have ANY interest in solving the cost of living crisis. I'm a bartender. And yet somehow I literally pay more in taxes than actual billionaires. I did some math and if things keep getting worse at the rate they have been, then by the age of 30 I will be homeless, and that's if I DON'T make any financial mistakes (and yes, I already do cook all my own food and barely go out. It's the only reason I'll be able to last until 30 instead of maybe another year or two). I have decided I will never have kids simply because I can't afford them and it would be cruel to bring a child into a life that will inevitably be even worse than mine at least financially (maybe baby boomers should have thought about that). My situation is not even SLIGHTLY unique. Not for my generation. I hope you elderly people remember, that when you people are dependent on us to pay for your healthcare benefits in retirement, when you are physically incapable of fighting us, and when we outnumber you at the voting booth... there will be NOTHING stopping us from treating you just as horribly as you have treated us. Worse even. I am looking forward to it. Very very much.

[@Іра-к8н]

dear all, imagine watching it for me as young Ukrainian) with all respect, you don`t know what problems and challenges are: I have elderly with cancer (their pension is 120 dollars, so I have to find money for treatment), all my male relatives are on the frontline, some women too, uncle is missing on the frontline, boyfriend missing as well and place where I spend my chilhood was demolished by russian drone. And I haven`t even reached quarter life crisis yet)) So I wish you strength and resilience, cause when hardships will come, you can loose everything and wouldn`t be able to imagine that stability may come back to your life at all.

[@Іра-к8н]

the question I would recommend young Europeans at least to ask of yourself - what would you have done during World war 2? If even larger war would be the case, you still have some time to learn, we didn`t. I would recommend becoming a drone engineer, work with IT for army or work with arms production. None of it was our choice, but we have to live in the circumstances of the choice made by political elites, just as it has always been.

[@tejasam1]

Unconditional right to stop our own life whenever we want medically. My body my choice. Freedom

[@nathansharma87]

Your job is to work, pull the levers and do the paperwork, pay taxes and reproduce the next worker generation. You can't do it if you're dead.

[@Alaryicjude]

Humanity is doomed.

[@jerbil9353]

Because we cannot even afford a home.

[@mjrfernando]

Inner Happiness is the most important thing in our life. It allows us to successfully manage our day-to-day activities, thoughts and emotions. Whatever the surrounding that you are in.

[@bps7209]

Here in the UNITED STATES we blame our government for corruption and corrupting the young people in our country.

[@BlackShardStudio]

"We" do, huh? 😂

[@bps7209]

@@BlackShardStudio yes, you have been bought, it appears. Huh.

[@santostv.]

let me guess the freedom country isn´t so free after all, at least you earn more than us europeans🤣

[@BlackShardStudio]

@@santostv. eh, you can disregard him. Just another gullible rightie too frightened of education to form his own opinions.

[@bps7209]

@@santostv. no matter what side of the pond you’re on, we’re losing the battle for freedom. So yes, you’re correct.