Name: American happiness falling at fast rate
Uploaded: 2025-11-19T01:39:03.276Z
Duration: 3 min 8 s
Description: A new report shows that happiness in the U.S. is falling at one of the fastest rates in the developed world.

A new report shows that happiness in the U.S. is falling at one of the fastest rates in the developed world.

Washington

A recent report by TimeGood reveals that the United States has experienced one of the fastest declines in happiness among developed countries, dropping from 11th place in 2012 to 24th place currently. The report highlights a D plus rating for the U.S., citing eroding social bonds, increased loneliness, and worsening emotional and economic well-being as key factors.

The findings indicate that 21% of Americans report feeling always or almost always lonely, and 62% believe the country is too divided to function effectively. The report also notes a significant generational gap, with seniors ranking among the happiest globally, while Americans under 30 are among the least happy, a trend linked to excessive screen time and social media use.

American happiness falling at fast rate

All right, let's get back to a new report showing happiness in the U.S. is falling at one of the fastest rates in the developed world. CBS News correspondent Lana Zak joining us now. So tell us about this report, Lana. Juliet, I'm absolutely delighted to be with you, and this time I can hear you. But unfortunately for our country, it just isn't the same level of happiness as it was in years before. TimeGood puts out this report every year, and this year they rank the United States as 24th in the world in terms of happiness. We ranked 11th just a few years ago in 2012. The steepest decline came in the last two years, and the rating overall a D plus at risk of failure. Parts of what has contributed to that decline, eroding social bonds, falling optimism, and worsening emotional and economic well-being. The U.S. is among, in fact, the top five loneliest countries in the world, according to this survey. Twenty-one percent of respondents said that they are always or almost always lonely. And part of this is also that political polarization that we have all seen. We've seen it on the air, and we've felt it in our own communities. Sixty-two percent of Americans said that the country is simply too divided to be able to function effectively. That is contributing to a greater weariness among neighbors. They don't feel like they can talk or hang out in the same ways that they used to. That feeds into the loneliness, and that feeds into that sharp decline for happiness. All right. So we have a lot of room to improve here. So the research does show, and no surprise, social media plays a role. So break down the effects of excessive screen time and how it's impacting younger generations. Well, absolutely. And it's so interesting that you said younger generations, Juliet, because when it comes to like the actual numbers, and I was having a lot of fun digging into this report earlier today, there is such a tremendous gap generationally. In fact, American seniors, those older than 60, are among the very happiest in the entire world. So whether as the people here who are young folks under the age of 30, they are among the very worst in the world. In fact, they rank number 62nd in the entire world in terms of happiness. And part of that is really about the social media, as you explained. Not just that political polarization that I was explaining before, but they found that excessive screen time contributes to additional loneliness as well as anxiety and depression. So they say that there are solutions out there, and that is moving from an economic frameset for well-being, because we are a prosperous nation, to one that values community and values connections. And it sounds like maybe we should be spending more time with our seniors and our grandfathers and grandmothers, and that could help make us happier too, Juliet. Yeah, absolutely. Back to basics and connection. All right, Lana Zak, thank you so much.

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