IPSOS World Happiness Report: On March 20th, the UN celebrates the International Day of Happiness with the 2024 theme “Reconnecting for Happiness: Building Resilient Communities.” This day also sees the release of Ipsos India’s annual Happiness Report, a comprehensive study spanning 12 months to uncover the true indicators of happiness for 2023.
The report revealed that approximately 72% of Indians claimed to be happy in the year 2023. While family emerged as the primary source of happiness for most Indians (73%), a deeper analysis highlighted that personal finance and health were the top influencers of overall happiness.
IPSOS World Happiness Report: 72 percent of Urban Indians are happy; while India’s Gen Z are unhappy
Through regression analysis of the happiness data, Ipsos experts gained insights into what truly impacts happiness among Indians. The analysis identified health and personal finances as the most significant influencers of happiness, with family ranking third in terms of importance.
The report also indicated that Indians have high expectations concerning financial well-being, although the current satisfaction level regarding personal finances was relatively lower, standing at 55%.
Interestingly, the professional domain, particularly work and career, played a substantial role in influencing financial happiness. However, the direct impact of work environment and colleagues on overall happiness was comparatively less significant.
Parijat Chakraborty, Ipsos India’s group service line leader for public affairs, corporate reputation, ESG & CSR, noted that Indians tend to find happiness within their “personal bubble,” focusing more on internal factors than external situations. The report’s findings varied across different life stages, locations, and genders, highlighting distinct influences on happiness based on age, gender, and urban or non-urban living.
The Report for 2023 is a unique and insightful study based on data collected monthly through the IndiaBus Happiness Monitor. This monitor engages over 2200 respondents monthly from diverse household categories and geographical zones across urban areas in our country, ensuring a comprehensive and representative understanding of urban Indians’ happiness trends.
There’s a common refrain often heard as people grow older: “Oh, to be young again,” they lament, often chiding the younger generation with the phrase “Youth is wasted on the young.” This sentiment reflects the widely held belief that happiness decreases with age, as responsibilities increase and the specter of mortality looms closer. However, Aristotle had a different perspective. He believed that a fulfilling life, or eudaimonia, depended on various factors such as wealth and virtue, which take time to cultivate. The latest Report aligns more with Aristotle’s viewpoint.
In the Western world, including countries like the US, UK, and Australia, young people have noticed a noticeable rise in weariness and despair. Economic uncertainties, the impact of social media, and a prevailing sense of gloom contribute to this trend. Conversely, many other parts of the world show the opposite pattern—where young individuals tend to be happier. The happiest nations, such as Finland, Denmark, and Iceland, are affluent countries with robust welfare systems, while conflict-ridden nations like Afghanistan and Lebanon rank among the unhappiest. Our country, positioned at 126 out of 143 countries, also struggles with significant happiness disparities.
Interestingly, unlike many other countries with sizable young populations, older individuals in our country report higher happiness levels. Among them, upper-caste men with higher education levels feel the most content, optimistic, and included. This underscores the well-known reality of our country that social well-being and a sense of security are heavily influenced by factors like caste, gender, and socioeconomic status. However, the lower well-being among the youth might also indicate a lack of confidence in the future. Consequently, older generations might find solace in not being young in today’s world, while younger individuals may express longing for a time when things seemed different.
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