British 15-year-olds report the lowest life satisfaction among 27 European nations, according to a new analysis by the Children’s Society. A quarter of UK teenagers in this age group say they have low life satisfaction, compared to just 7% of their Dutch peers, who top the rankings.
The study, based on data from the UK Longitudinal Household Survey and the OECD’s Pisa assessment, reveals a significant decline in happiness since 2009-10. Girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly affected, with food poverty identified as a key factor. Mark Russell, chief executive of the Children’s Society, described the findings as “alarm bells ringing” and warned of a “happiness recession” among UK teenagers.
Levels of low life satisfaction among UK 15-year-olds are at least twice as high as in Finland, Denmark, Romania, Portugal, Croatia and Hungary. The report highlights rising poverty, long NHS waiting times for mental health support, and school absences as contributing factors. “Children and young people deserve better,” the report states, calling for decisive action to reverse the decline in wellbeing.
In contrast, Dutch teenagers consistently rank among the happiest globally, attributed to supportive parenting, low inequality, and high levels of self-determination, such as cycling to school independently. The findings come amid a broader debate about teenage freedom, sparked by TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, who defended allowing her 15-year-old to travel alone in Europe.
The study also found that the UK has the largest gap in life satisfaction between the most and least disadvantaged 15-year-olds. Many parents struggle to afford basic necessities, with over one in five unable to provide a hot meal daily, and nearly a quarter unable to buy a warm winter coat.
