In some countries, young people have become richer, healthier, and live longer but are less happy. What causes? What can be done to address this situation?
In many developed and rapidly developing nations, young people today enjoy higher incomes, better medical access and longer life expectancy than previous generations, yet surveys consistently show declining life satisfaction among this demographic. Two core reasons account for this paradox, and targeted measures can effectively mitigate the problem.
The primary cause is unprecedented social and economic pressure eroding young people’s sense of security and belonging. Unlike earlier generations who often had stable, lifelong careers and affordable housing, young people now face cut-throat job competition, soaring living costs and precarious gig work, even with higher salaries. For example, in many East Asian countries, young professionals earn 30% more than their peers did 20 years ago, but spend over half their income on rent, leaving little time or energy for social connection or hobbies. Secondly, the prevalence of social media fuels constant social comparison: curated depictions of others' "perfect" lives make young people undervalue their own achievements, breeding anxiety and low self-esteem.
To address this issue, governments should first introduce supportive policies, such as affordable housing schemes, employment protection for gig workers and mental health services in communities and universities. For instance, Finland’s youth housing subsidy program has been proven to reduce young adults' financial stress by nearly 40%. Additionally, young people themselves should be guided to limit mindless social media use, and prioritize offline interactions and meaningful personal goals over unrealistic standards set by online content.
In conclusion, while rising material wellbeing does not automatically translate to happiness for young people, joint efforts from authorities and individuals can reverse this trend.