Why Are Young People Miserable? And How We Can Fix It

Happiness used to follow a predictable arc: high in youth, dipping in midlife, then rising again. But recent data from economist David Blanchflower suggests young people today experience record-low happiness—lower than midlife adults. The U-curve? More like a flatline.

A Global Epidemic of Unhappiness

This trend isn’t confined to one country or culture. Blanchflower’s study spans 140 nations, revealing an alarming consistency: young people everywhere are struggling. Even in wealthy, stable countries, happiness is plummeting. Something bigger is at play.

What’s driving this crisis? Let’s break it down.

The Real Causes Behind the Decline

1. The Social Media Trap

Social media connects—but at a cost. Platforms designed to maximize engagement also maximize insecurity. The dopamine-driven cycle of likes, shares, and comparisons fuels anxiety and depression. Young users, bombarded by curated perfection, feel inadequate. Traditional social bonds weaken as digital interactions replace face-to-face connection.

2. Skyrocketing Expectations, Crippling Pressure

The pressure to excel—academically, professionally, socially—is suffocating. Schools push relentless achievement. Job markets demand experience before employment. Socially, the expectation to be attractive, interesting, and successful at all times breeds exhaustion. The result? Burnout before 25.

3. Economic Uncertainty and the Cost of Adulthood

Despite economic growth post-2008, young people feel financially trapped. Housing costs soar. Wages stagnate. The traditional markers of adulthood—homeownership, stable jobs—seem unreachable. Meanwhile, student debt piles up, making financial freedom feel like a distant dream.

4. The Mental Health Crisis

Anxiety and depression rates among young people have skyrocketed. Yet, mental health services remain scarce, expensive, or stigmatized. Those who seek help often face long wait times or inadequate care. The result? A generation struggling in silence.

5. The Unique Struggles of Young Women

The crisis disproportionately affects young women. The combination of social media pressures, gender-specific societal expectations, and greater susceptibility to anxiety and depression intensifies their struggles. Women report higher rates of body image issues, online harassment, and stress-related disorders.

Young people are drowning in these challenges. But is there a way out?

Reversing the Trend: Solutions That Work

1. Reforming Mental Health Support

We need accessible, affordable mental health care. Schools should integrate mental health education. Governments must increase funding. Employers should prioritize well-being alongside productivity.

2. Rethinking Social Media Use

Tech companies must be held accountable for addictive algorithms. Digital literacy programs can teach young people how to navigate online spaces healthily. Encouraging offline interactions will restore real-world social bonds. Parents and educators must foster critical thinking about digital influence.

3. Easing Academic and Career Pressures

Education systems should value learning over test scores. Companies must offer better entry-level opportunities. Society must redefine success beyond relentless achievement. We need to stop glorifying overwork and burnout.

4. Addressing Economic Barriers

Affordable housing, fair wages, and student loan reform are critical. Without financial security, young people can’t build fulfilling lives. Governments must prioritize policies that support young workers and first-time homeowners.

5. Supporting Young Women

We must challenge unrealistic beauty standards, encourage diverse role models, and expand targeted mental health resources. Female empowerment starts with systemic change, not just self-help mantras.

New Challenges, New Solutions

The youth happiness crisis isn’t inevitable. With targeted efforts, we can rebuild a world where young people thrive. The time to act is now.