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.
