World Happiness Report: Indian seniors are a happy lot, but nation’s overall rank low

The findings, published on the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness, are from the Gallup World Poll.

Older people in India reported higher life satisfaction than most of their peers in low- and middle-income countries, disproving the notion that such satisfaction is solely seen in high-income nations, according to the World Happiness Report 2024 released on March 20.

On average, older men in India typically reported higher life satisfaction than older women, but when considering additional factors, older women reported greater overall life satisfaction than men, the report said.

Elderly Indians with higher education and those from higher social castes also reported greater satisfaction than those with no formal education and those belonging to so-called lower castes, the report said.

The findings, published on the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness, are from the Gallup World Poll.

In terms of overall life satisfaction, India ranks a lowly 126 out of 143 countries, a few places below neighbour Pakistan (108) and above Sri Lanka (128) and Bangladesh (129).

To be sure, the older population of the country is the second largest globally, with over 140 million people aged 60 and above, second only to China, which has over 250 million.

The report says life satisfaction is the best indicator of quality of life, and it reflects the subjective assessment of one’s life as a whole. “Although participants, when inquired, rate their present quality of life, life satisfaction in older ages may serve as a measure to evaluate whether one’s life has been successful overall. Older adults with higher life satisfaction report healthy behaviours, which translates into better overall health,” the report said.

When it comes to comparing generations, the report said: “Those born before 1965 are, on average, happier than those born since 1980. Among Millennials, evaluation of one’s own life drops with each year of age, while among Boomers, life satisfaction increases with age.”

The study analysed various facets of life, such as age, gender, social relationships, social engagement, living arrangements, education, income, caste, religion, health behaviours, health conditions, and health care, which can affect satisfaction in later life.

Researchers also found that the state of happiness among young people aged 15 to 24 reports higher life satisfaction than older adults, but this gap is narrowing in Europe and recently reversed in North America.