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Speaking of Psychology

Which countries are happiest and why? With Lara Aknin, PhD

May 29, 2024
Psychology professor Lara Aknin, PhD, editor of the World Happiness Report, discusses the factors affecting global happiness levels, including the decline in young Americans' happiness. She explores the correlation between generosity and happiness, the impact of financial security on well-being, and the importance of social relationships in shaping happiness levels across different countries.
33:00

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Young Americans are less happy than peers in many countries, while generosity boosts happiness levels.
  • COVID-19 effects contribute to decreased happiness among young adults in North America, disrupting global trends.

Deep dives

Overview of the World Happiness Report 2024

The 2024 World Happiness Report revealed a concerning trend for North American youth. Young people in the United States and Canada are experiencing lower levels of happiness than ever before, impacting the overall rankings of these countries globally. Dr. Lara Aknan, a key editor of the report, highlighted the importance of evaluating people's life satisfaction as a key measure in the report. The report's data, drawn from the Gallup World Poll, represents diverse national samples from over 136 countries.

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