Teenagers in UK schools are significantly less satisfied with their lives than their peers worldwide, according to a new survey by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Just over half of UK students rated their life satisfaction seven or higher out of ten, compared to an OECD average of 67%. The UK's score of 53% places it well below countries like Colombia (73%), Estonia (70%), and the US (61%).
The data, based on responses from nearly 14,000 UK students across more than 500 schools, also found that 3.6% of UK students gave a life satisfaction score of zero—the lowest possible—the highest proportion among OECD countries except Turkey (8.2%). Only 35% of UK students described themselves as 'always happy', below the OECD average of 41%, while 8.7% said they always felt sad, above the OECD average of 6.5%.
Bullying remains a significant issue, with 27% of UK students reporting being bullied at least a few times a month, compared to a 23% OECD average. This puts the UK seventh highest among the 36 OECD countries with relevant data. However, UK truancy rates were slightly below average, with 19% of students skipping school in the fortnight before the survey, versus an OECD average of 21%.
Despite these wellbeing concerns, the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results show England's pupils continue to climb international league tables in academic success, particularly in mathematics. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, praised teachers and school leaders for sustaining and improving performance under difficult circumstances, but questioned the cost, stating: 'The impressive statistics around maths are tarnished by the worryingly high percentages of miserable and worried pupils.'
