This is the age at which we are happiest – would you have thought that?

Each of us has a different definition of happiness. For some it is family, health and love, for others it is independence, wealth and freedom.

Even though we differ in definition, there are similarities. Just like with age - because science has now discovered at what age and at what point in life we ​​are happiest.

Life satisfaction study

A team of researchers from the German Sport University in Cologne, the Ruhr University in Bochum, the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz and the two Swiss universities in Bern and Basel came together to take a closer look at life satisfaction.

To do this, the researchers analyzed around 440 samples from studies with more than 46,000 participants. The results of the study were subsequently published in the English-language journal “Psychological Bulletin" published.

Study authorSusanne Bückerexplains: “We focused on the changes inthree central components“Focuses on subjective well-being”. These three areas were:

• Life satisfaction
• the positive emotional states
• the negative emotional states

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The result: Toddlers are the happiest

The research team found that overall life satisfaction decreased between the ages of 9 and 16, but then increased slightly until the age of 70. She then lost some weight again until she was 96 years old.

The researchers attribute the slight decline in life satisfaction between the ages of 9 and 16 to developments during puberty. Young people are confronted with many changes, especially in relation to their bodies, but also in their social environment.

From young adulthood onwards, things start to pick up slightly again. However, as a person reaches an older age, life satisfaction decreases again. The research team attributes this to dwindling contacts and the deterioration in physical performance and health.

According to the study, small children and adults up to the age of 70 are, on average, the happiest.

Positive and negative emotional states

The researchers were able to detect a decline in positive emotional states from the ages of 9 to 94. Between the ages of 9 and 22, the respondents experienced fluctuations in negative emotional states. By the age of 60, these have decreased again, although they increase again in very old age.

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Bücker explains in summary: “Overall, the study revealed a favorable development pattern over large parts of life when we look at life satisfaction and negative feelings.”

However, the study leader also points out that subjective well-being must be promoted in old age. Because with the right attitude and behavior, general well-being can be maintained and perhaps even strengthened.