00:00For decades, researchers have noted something called the unhappiness hump.
00:04It's the idea that stress, worry and depression tend to rise as people age,
00:08peaking in midlife at around 40 years to 60 years old.
00:12Then as people get older, happiness usually bounces back.
00:15This pattern has been seen worldwide.
00:18It's like a U-shaped curve where well-being dips in middle age but improves later on.
00:22But now a new research suggests that this unhappy middle age peak might be disappearing
00:28in that the mental ill-being is now highest among young people
00:32and not middle-aged adults as in the past.
00:35Now a team of experts from Dartmouth College in the US led by economist David Blanchflower
00:40analyzed surveys of millions of people in the US and the UK.
00:44They looked at mental health trends over the past 30 years.
00:47Their large-scale analysis shows that the unhappiness peak in midlife no longer exists.
00:53Instead, mental ill-being now declines steadily as people grow older.
00:57This means that younger people today are reporting worse mental health than before
01:01and older adults are not experiencing the same midlife dip in happiness.
01:06So what does this change mean and why has the middle age hump disappeared?
01:11The researchers suggest several possible reasons.
01:14One is of course the impact of recent economic challenges on the younger generation
01:18such as the long-lasting effects of the Great Recession that started in 2008.
01:23Job prospects for young people have been tougher, creating stress and uncertainty.
01:28Another factor could be underfunded and insufficient mental health services,
01:32leaving many young people without needed support.
01:35The COVID pandemic likely also played a role.
01:38Lockdowns, isolation and ongoing disruptions to daily life
01:41have taken a heavy toll on mental health worldwide.
01:45In addition, increased social media use has complicated young people's social lives and well-being.
01:49Online pressures, comparison and constant connectivity can increase anxiety and depression.
01:56To test if this trend exists globally,
01:58the researchers analysed data from nearly 2 million people across 44 countries
02:03gathered between 2020 and 2025.
02:06The results were consistent.
02:08The unhappiness hump seems to have vanished worldwide.
02:12Young people's mental health is at the lowest point compared to all the other ages.
02:17This shift raises serious concerns.
02:20They emphasise the urgent need to address the mental health crisis facing today's youth.
02:24Without action, this trend could have deep and lasting effects on our society.
02:30Despite the bleak picture, these findings also offer hope.
02:34Understanding this change helps target mental health resources where they are needed most.
02:39It can guide policies to improve job opportunities,
02:42fund services and create healthier social environments for young people.
02:46Mental health is just as important as physical health.
02:50Public awareness and support systems are critical to helping individuals cope with life's pressures.
02:55The decades-old idea of a midlife unhappiness peak may now be history.
03:00Instead, we face a new reality where young people bear a heavier mental health burden.
03:06This research serves as a wake-up call.
03:08The future depends on recognising these challenges and acting swiftly to support mental well-being for all ages.
03:15Stay tuned for more updates on important health, science and social issues.
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