Global Survey Reveals Declining Mental Wellbeing Among Young People

Young people across the world are reporting troubling levels of emotional distress, low resilience and reduced life satisfaction, according to a major international survey involving approximately 50,000 participants across 92 countries. Published in Social Indicators Research, the study, led by Professor Kai Ruggeri of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, examined psychological well-being through measures including optimism, self-esteem, emotional stability, vitality, relationships and life satisfaction. Researchers found that younger adults generally reported poorer mental well-being than older participants, reversing patterns observed in previous generations. Financial difficulties, unemployment and lower educational attainment were also associated with poorer outcomes, while employment, higher income and stronger social connections were linked to more favorable well-being scores. Encouragingly, many respondents continued to report positive feelings about their personal relationships and sense of purpose, suggesting that meaningful human connections remain an important source of resilience. Although the predominantly online survey cannot establish what caused the differences or prove that individuals' mental health has declined over time, researchers are calling for more targeted action to address financial insecurity, burnout and barriers to mental healthcare. The findings highlight the need to prioritize younger generations' psychological well-being as an essential part of public health.