A new study from the US National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that 47.2 is the age at which people globally are most unhappy. The research, conducted by former Bank of England economist David Blanchflower, analysed data from 132 countries and found a consistent U-shaped curve of well-being.
Happiness tends to decline through adult years, hitting a nadir in the mid-to-late 40s, then recovering as people age. In developing nations, the unhappiness peak occurs slightly later, at 48.2. The pattern holds regardless of median income or life expectancy.
The cause remains uncertain, but the study notes that a similar midlife dip in happiness has been observed in chimpanzees and orangutans around age 30, suggesting a possible evolutionary or genetic basis. In the UK, happiness is measured by the Annual Population Survey, which asks: 'Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays?'
