Health · Mental Health · 12 hrs ago
Global study finds young adults report the lowest well-being
Researchers surveyed nearly 54,000 adults in 92 countries about different parts of their well-being.
Young adults reported the lowest well-being, and scores rose fairly steadily with age.
This differs from the long-standing pattern in which happiness was thought to dip most in middle age.
The survey was conducted online from June to August 2025, and most participants chose to take part, so the results do not represent entire countries.
Participants rated ten statements about areas such as energy, calm, resilience and meaning in life.
Support and meaning scored highest, while feeling full of energy scored lowest, at 4.20 out of 7.
The researchers say the findings point to widespread struggles with well-being, including among young people, but the study does not set out what happens next.
A global study of nearly 54,000 adults found that young adults reported the lowest well-being of any age group.
Well-being scores rose fairly steadily with age, with little sign of the midlife dip reported in earlier research.
The study was led by Kai Ruggeri of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and involved 261 volunteer researchers.
Participants rated ten aspects of well-being, including energy, calm, resilience and a sense of purpose.
The researchers cautioned that most participants chose to take the online survey, so the findings describe respondents rather than whole nations.
- Who
- Nearly 54,000 adults in 92 countries took part in the survey. The work was led by Kai Ruggeri.
- What
- A global study found that young adults reported the lowest well-being of any age group.
- When
- Participants took the survey between June and August 2025. The article was published on November 4, 2026.
- Where
- The survey covered 92 countries and was available in 50 languages.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Participants took the survey in 50 languages.
Earth.com published its report on the study’s findings.
- Participants
- Nearly 54,000 adults
- Countries
- 92
- Research team
- 261 volunteer researchers
- Survey languages
- 50
- Young adults
- Reported the lowest well-being of any age group
What people are saying
These findings are more than just a sign to policymakers that solutions are necessary to improve mental health among young people or those struggling to make ends meet
In fact, they are a flashing red light that entire populations are already struggling and feel their resilience is diminished here and now, not only a concern for an uncertain future.