Britons are reporting lower levels of happiness than during some periods of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. Only 30 per cent of people rated their happiness as 'very high' in the first quarter of 2022, down from a peak of 34 per cent in July 2021, when final restrictions were eased. The figures, covering January to March 2022, suggest that rising concerns about health, relationships and loneliness are taking a toll.
The ONS survey, which has tracked life satisfaction for over a decade, reveals that 47 per cent of people are satisfied with their health, compared to 51 per cent before the pandemic. Anxiety levels are also elevated, with two-thirds of Britons reporting feeling anxious, while one in 15 say they feel lonely often or always. The proportion of people in unhappy relationships has risen from 3.6 per cent in 2015/16 to 4.3 per cent in 2019/20.
Despite the gloom, the ONS found that people feel well connected to those around them and report better job satisfaction and work-life balance. Time-use data shows that Britons are exercising more, with an average of 25 minutes per day spent on fitness, up six minutes from 2014/15. Socialising and leisure time have also increased, with five hours daily devoted to entertainment, including time with friends and family.
However, the ONS cautioned that the happiness data only covers up to spring 2022 and does not fully reflect the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Spiralling food and energy bills are becoming a major source of public concern, which is expected to further depress wellbeing. Statisticians noted that the trends in health satisfaction, relationships and loneliness are based on data up to 2021, so may not capture recent developments.
