Joana Meurkens, a 26-year-old actress and singer from New York, faced a challenging start to the year as her landlord increased her Brooklyn apartment rent, forcing her to relocate and temporarily divide her time between her boyfriend’s and her parents’ homes.
The rising costs of living, including groceries and transportation, led Meurkens to believe it was more economical to move out. This situation is emblematic of the struggles young Americans face, which include not just economic pressures but also social issues like loneliness, political polarization, conflicts, and unemployment.
According to the World Happiness Report for 2025, young adulthood is experiencing a concerning decline in overall satisfaction, with the lowest well-being reported among this age group in Western Europe and North America. The United States, ranking 24th this year, fell out of the top 20, with its youth faring even worse, not even making it into the top 60. Germany and the UK ranked 22nd and 23rd, respectively.
Young people have increasingly turned to protests as a way to connect with others and feel part of a community, replacing the more traditional leisure activities like parties. Experts like Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, from Oxford University’s Wellbeing Research Centre, highlight the importance of social connection and community for overall well-being, noting that living arrangements that foster communal living positively impact mental health.
De Neve’s research indicates that the decline in dining with others and the increase in solitary eating habits are correlated with lower life satisfaction. He further points out that the dissatisfaction among young people can lead to political shifts towards supporting anti-system parties.
Meurkens’ experiences, marked by significant political events and the pandemic, illustrate the ongoing struggles her generation faces, often leading them to confront these challenges through medication like antidepressants. Many young Americans increase their medication intake for anxiety and depression.
Conversely, Finland, which consistently tops the
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/what-contributes-to-happiness-and-why-does-it-matter-for-democracy/a-71962896?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
