Older people happier than the young
Older people have accepted their place in life, making them happier than middle-aged individuals who are often still trying to “find their place in life”, a recent study has revealed.
The report – presented at the Royal Economic Society’s annual conference – suggested younger people, who are optimistic about the future, are also proven to be happier than middle-aged people.
According to the study, happiness is ‘U-shaped’. Positive thinking allegedly begins to decrease in a person’s late 20s, hits ‘rock bottom’ at middle age and then begins to ascend again after the age of 50.
Belgium study leader, Bert van Landeghem of Maastricht University, said while people aged 25 and 65 might agree that it is “nicer to be 25 than 65”, the 65-year-old would nevertheless be happier in their own skin as “he has learned to be satisfied with what he has.”
However, this follows research conducted at the University of California which found happy people do not necessarily live longer as they are more likely to take risks with their health.
