Wednesday, September 3, 2025 - A new global study has revealed that young adults are now the most miserable age group, overturning the long-held belief in the so-called "midlife crisis."
According to Daily Mail, the research, which looked at data
from the US, the UK, and 44 other countries, found that people aged 18 to 24
reported the lowest levels of happiness. Traditionally, unhappiness was thought
to peak in middle age before improving later in life — but the findings show
that Gen Z is struggling more than any other generation.
Scientists noted that the decline in young people’s mental
health began around 2014 and worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues such
as skipping school, learning challenges, and young adults leaving the workforce
due to mental health struggles were highlighted as contributing factors.
The study also showed that young women are experiencing
worse mental health than men in the same age group, with rising rates of
anxiety, depression, and despair. In the US, despair among young women nearly
doubled between 2009 and 2024.
Globally, nearly half of Generation Z was found to be at
risk for mental health problems, with over 13% of young people under 25
describing themselves as "distressed," compared to just 5.6% of older
participants.
Experts point to rising screen time, online comparisons, and
financial struggles as possible drivers. Younger generations face steeper
challenges with essentials like housing and income, while older generations
benefit from accumulated wealth.
Interestingly, the study also found that older adults —
particularly those between 45 and 70 — are now the happiest, with elderly
people over 70 reporting the lowest levels of despair worldwide.
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