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HAPPINESS & OUTLOOK

33 indicators · 1961–2026 · every value from its primary publisher

┊ dashed lines mark 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

50 Years Since 2000 10 Years 5 Years 1 Year

Happiness · 8 series

HappinessCantril ladder score (0-10) · World Happiness Report (Gallup World Poll)

6.972025

+0.2 pts since 2016
6.80 then

Very Happypercent of adults "very happy" · 2016–2024 · NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

23.4%2024

−7.0 pts since 2016
30.4% then

Not Too Happypercent of adults who say they are not too happy · 2016–2024 · computed from NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

20%2024

+5.7 pts since 2016
15% then

Life Is Excitingpercent of adults who find life exciting · 2016–2024 · NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

37%2024

−14 pts since 2016
51% then

Marriage Is Very Happypercent of married adults who say their marriage is very happy · 2016–2024 · computed from NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

61%2024

+0.3 pts since 2016
61% then

Very Satisfied With Jobpercent of employed adults very satisfied with their job · 2016–2024 · computed from NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

45%2024

−4.7 pts since 2016
50% then

Satisfied With Personal Lifepercent satisfied · Gallup, Mood of the Nation

81%2025

−4.0 pts since 2016
85% then

Very Satisfied With Personal Lifepercent very satisfied · Gallup, Mood of the Nation

44%2025

−9.0 pts since 2016
53% then

Outlook · 8 series

Optimistic About Life in 5 Yearspercent rating their expected life in five years 8–10 on a 0–10 ladder · Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index

59.7%2026 YTD

−9.2 pts since 2016
68.9% then

Satisfied With How Things Are Going in the U.S.percent satisfied, annual average of Gallup readings · Gallup, Satisfaction With the United States

24.5%2026 thru Aug

−2.6 pts since 2016
27.1% then

Better Off Than Parentspercent whose standard of living is better than their parents' at the same age · 2016–2024 · NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

54.5%2024

−5.0 pts since 2016
59.5% then

Kids Will Be Better Offpercent expecting their children's standard of living to be better than their own · 2016–2024 · NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

58.8%2024

−2.6 pts since 2016
61.4% then

Expect to Be Better Off Next Yearpercent expecting to be better off financially a year from now · University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, Table 8

26%2025

−10 pts since 2016
36% then

Consumer Sentiment Index (University of Michigan)index, 1966 Q1 = 100 · University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers

52.22026 thru Aug

−40 pts since 2016
91.9 then

Gallup Economic Confidence Indexindex, net percent (can range roughly -100 to +100) · computed from Gallup Economic Confidence Index monthly readings (annual mean)

−262026 thru Apr

−17 pts since 2016
−9 then

Good Time to Find a Quality Jobpercent saying now is a good time to find a quality job · computed from Gallup Good Time to Find a Quality Job monthly readings (annual mean)

36%2026 thru Apr

−6.7 pts since 2016
42% then

Money and each other · 7 series

Satisfied With Financespercent pretty well satisfied with their financial situation · 2016–2024 · NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

22.6%2024

−6.0 pts since 2016
28.6% then

Personal Finances Getting Better (Gallup)percent saying their financial situation is getting better · Gallup, Personal Finances Getting Better (Gallup)

38%2025

−9.0 pts since 2016
47% then

Doing at Least Okay Financiallypercent of adults · Federal Reserve Board, Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking

73%2025

+3.0 pts since 2016
70% then

Could Cover a $400 Emergency Expensepercent of adults · Federal Reserve Board, Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking

63%2025

+7.0 pts since 2016
56% then

People Try to Be Helpfulpercent saying most people try to be helpful (vs. looking out for themselves) · 2016–2024 · computed from NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

38%2024

−8.9 pts since 2016
47% then

People Try to Be Fairpercent saying most people try to be fair (vs. would take advantage) · 2016–2024 · computed from NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

42%2024

−12 pts since 2016
53% then

Average Person's Lot Is Getting Worsepercent agreeing the lot of the average person is getting worse · 1993–1994 · GSS item retired, ends 1994 · computed from NORC General Social Survey (cumulative file 1972–2024)

69%1994

+0.1 pts since 1993
69% then

Mental health · 10 series

Rate Their Mental Health Excellentpercent of adults rating their own mental health excellent · Gallup, Rate Their Mental Health Excellent

29%2025

−15 pts since 2016
44% then

Frequent Mental Distress (BRFSS State Median)percent of adults, median across states and DC · 2019–2024 · CDC, BRFSS Prevalence and Trends Data

15.6%2024

+1.8 pts since 2019
13.8% then

Serious Psychological Distress (NHIS)percent of adults aged 18 and over, age-adjusted · 2011–2016 · NHIS item ended with the 2019 redesign · NCHS, Health, United States 2017, Table 46

3.6%2016

+0.3 pts since 2011
3.3% then

Any Mental Illness, Past Yearpercent of adults aged 18 or older · SAMHSA, National Survey on Drug Use and Health

20.6%2025

+2.3 pts since 2016
18.3% then

Serious Mental Illness, Past Yearpercent of adults aged 18 or older · SAMHSA, National Survey on Drug Use and Health

6.9%2025

+2.7 pts since 2016
4.2% then

Adult Major Depressive Episode, Past Yearpercent of adults aged 18 or older · SAMHSA, National Survey on Drug Use and Health

7.4%2025

+0.7 pts since 2016
6.7% then

Adolescent Major Depressive Episode, Past Yearpercent of adolescents aged 12–17 · SAMHSA, National Survey on Drug Use and Health

15.1%2025

+2.3 pts since 2016
12.8% then

Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness (YRBS)percent of high school students · 2017–2023 · CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report 2013–2023

40%2023

+9.0 pts since 2017
31% then

Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide (YRBS)percent of high school students · 2017–2023 · CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report 2013–2023

20%2023

+3.0 pts since 2017
17% then

Antidepressant Use in the Past Month (NHANES)percent of adults aged 18 and over · 2016–2018 · NCHS, NHANES, Data Briefs 283 and 377

13.8%2018

+1.2 pts since 2016
12.6% then

Data

Complete year-by-year values, raw numbers in the unit in each column header. Machine-readable: stats.json · stats.csv.

Year	HappinessCantril ladder score (0-10) · 2006–2025	Very Happypercent of adults "very happy" · 1972–2024	Not Too Happypercent of adults who say they are not too happy · 1972–2024	Life Is Excitingpercent of adults who find life exciting · 1973–2024	Marriage Is Very Happypercent of married adults who say their marriage is very happy · 1973–2024	Very Satisfied With Jobpercent of employed adults very satisfied with their job · 1972–2024	Satisfied With Personal Lifepercent satisfied · 1979–2025	Very Satisfied With Personal Lifepercent very satisfied · 2001–2025	Optimistic About Life in 5 Yearspercent rating their expected life in five years 8–10 on a 0–10 ladder · 2009–2026 (2026 YTD)	Satisfied With How Things Are Going in the U.S.percent satisfied, annual average of Gallup readings · 1979–2026 (2026 thru Aug)	Better Off Than Parentspercent whose standard of living is better than their parents' at the same age · 1994–2024	Kids Will Be Better Offpercent expecting their children's standard of living to be better than their own · 1994–2024	Expect to Be Better Off Next Yearpercent expecting to be better off financially a year from now · 1978–2025	Consumer Sentiment Index (University of Michigan)index, 1966 Q1 = 100 · 1961–2026 (2026 thru Aug)	Gallup Economic Confidence Indexindex, net percent (can range roughly -100 to +100) · 1996–2026 (2026 thru Apr)	Good Time to Find a Quality Jobpercent saying now is a good time to find a quality job · 2001–2026 (2026 thru Apr)	Satisfied With Financespercent pretty well satisfied with their financial situation · 1972–2024	Personal Finances Getting Better (Gallup)percent saying their financial situation is getting better · 2001–2025	Doing at Least Okay Financiallypercent of adults · 2013–2025	Could Cover a $400 Emergency Expensepercent of adults · 2013–2025	People Try to Be Helpfulpercent saying most people try to be helpful (vs. looking out for themselves) · 1972–2024	People Try to Be Fairpercent saying most people try to be fair (vs. would take advantage) · 1972–2024	Average Person's Lot Is Getting Worsepercent agreeing the lot of the average person is getting worse · 1973–1994	Rate Their Mental Health Excellentpercent of adults rating their own mental health excellent · 2001–2025	Frequent Mental Distress (BRFSS State Median)percent of adults, median across states and DC · 2019–2024	Serious Psychological Distress (NHIS)percent of adults aged 18 and over, age-adjusted · 1998–2016	Any Mental Illness, Past Yearpercent of adults aged 18 or older · 2008–2025	Serious Mental Illness, Past Yearpercent of adults aged 18 or older · 2008–2025	Adult Major Depressive Episode, Past Yearpercent of adults aged 18 or older · 2005–2025	Adolescent Major Depressive Episode, Past Yearpercent of adolescents aged 12–17 · 2004–2025	Persistent Feelings of Sadness or Hopelessness (YRBS)percent of high school students · 2013–2023	Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide (YRBS)percent of high school students · 2013–2023	Antidepressant Use in the Past Month (NHANES)percent of adults aged 18 and over · 2010–2018
1961														91.5
1962														99.7
1963														98.5
1964														99.6
1965														102
1966														97
1967														94.7
1968														94.2
1969														90.3
1970														75.8
1971														80.6
1972		30.3	16.5			48.9								93.2			33.1				46.8	60.3
1973		36.1	12.3	46.5	67.9	49								76.9			31.4				47.3	57.9	55.3
1974		36.4	13.2	43.3	69	46.7								64.6			30.4						61.5
1975		32.5	13.4		68.2	53.8								70.6			31.1				56.9	62.2
1976		34.4	12.4	45.2	66.4	50								86			30.6				42.2	58	61
1977		35.5	10.8	45.6	66.2	46.1								87.7			34.7						56.5
1978		33.6	8.4		64.8	49.3							27	79.4			34.9				57.8	62.5
1979							79			19			22	66
1980		34.1	12.8	47.7	68.4	45.4							27	64.5			26.8				47.9	60.3	67.9
1981							81			25.7			30	70
1982		33.9	11.8	46.5	64.8	46.2	75			24.3			32	68			27.9						65.9
1983		31.4	12.9		63.6	47.3	77			35			37	87.5			28.3				57.7	59
1984		35.2	12.2	46.3	66	47.1	79			48.8			38	97.5			28.6				52.5	62.6	53.5
1985		29.1	10.9	47.7	55.8	46.4	82			51			35	93.2			29.1						48.9
1986		32.8	10.6		63.4	48.7	84			60			37	94.8			31.4				56.1	62.9
1987		33.6	11.3	45.2	66	44.3	83			45			35	90.9			29.4				46.7	57.9	62.5
1988		36.1	8.3	46.8	61.8	46.2	87			48.5			37	93.7			30.6				49.1	60.1	62
1989		34.2	9.7	45	60.2	46.4				44.5			38	92.7			29.8				50	58.2	60.1
1990		35.1	8.4	44.2	64.8	45.2	82			39.6			34	81.6			29.9				50.6	56.5	58.6
1991		31.7	9.5	45.4	63.7	44.2	79			47.1			34	77.5			28.2				48.8	56.5	59.7
1992							79			20.6			35	77.3
1993		31.4	10	46.2	60.7	42.8	82			27.8			34	82.8			26.2				50.6	54.3	68.5
1994		30	11.7	47.9	60.5	44.4				32.7	65.3	52.2	37	92.3			28				45.6	52.3	68.6
1995										31.7			36	92.2
1996		32.2	10.5	50.5	61.7	45.3	86			38.9	63.6	52.8	38	93.6	13.8		28				43	49.5
1997										49			42	103.2	23.3
1998		33.4	11.2	45.3	63.7	48.6	86			59.6	66.2	63.6	42	104.6	39.3		30.3				46.8	52.3				3.2
1999										58.8			42	105.8	44.8
2000		34.7	9.5	46.5	62.7	45.9	87			59.8	68.3	69.1	43	107.6	42.9		31				46	52.5				2.6
2001							84	55		54.8			40	89.2	-0.6	27.8		59						43
2002		32.6	11.4	52.9	59.8	50.2	83	53		52.3	68.5	68.9	42	89.6	3.5	25.8	30.4	52			47.4	48.9		43		3.1
2003							88	58		46			41	87.6	-3.3	21.3		43						43
2004		32.2	12.8	48.2	60.8	50.4	84	58		42.5	70.2	60.4	40	95.2	9	32	33	53			49.1	49.2		51						9
2005							85	57		38.4			36	88.5	-3.7	37.3		49						42		3			6.6	8.8
2006	7.182	32.2	11.9	51	61.4	49.2	84	55		31.2	67	63.9	34	87.3	-5.3	41.3	30.3	47			42.9	49		45					6.5	7.9
2007	7.513						84	59		27.5			33	85.6	-12.3	42.5		51						45					6.7	8.2
2008	7.28	30.9	14.2	47.6	62.2	51.2	80	47		15.1	62.8	59.6	26	63.7	-53.7	20.3	28.6	32			45.3	50		45			17.7	3.7	6.5	8.3
2009	7.158								63	26			29	66.3	-50.5	9.9		34						43			18.1	3.7	6.6	8.1
2010	7.164	28	14.4	52	62.1	49.3			64.1	21.6	59.9	60.9	27	71.8	-15	10.9	23	39			46.4	53.2		45			18.1	4.1	6.8	8			10.6
2011	7.115						78	46	63.4	17.1			23	67.3	-26	11.8		29						46		3.3	17.8	3.9	6.6	8.2
2012	7.026	31.7	12.7	52.7	65.4	50.8			63.8	25.5	62	56.8	26	76.6	-11	18.8	27.2	42			46.2	49.8		48			18.6	4.1	6.9	9.1			12.7
2013	7.249						79	50	63.1	23.8			27	79.2	-4	24.3		47	62	50				47			18.5	4.2	6.7	10.7	30	17
2014	7.151	31.9	12.3	51.1	60.4	47.9			67.7	23.2	61.5	58	30	84.1	-10	29.6	27.3	43	65	53	46.6	50.7		45			18.1	4.1	6.6	11.4			14.7
2015	6.864						85		68.7	27.8			35	92.9	7	42.1		52	69	54				43			17.9	4	6.7	12.5	30	18
2016	6.804	30.4	14.7	51.2	60.5	49.5	85	53	68.9	27.1	59.5	61.4	36	91.9	-9	42.2	28.6	47	70	56	46.8	53.4		44		3.6	18.3	4.2	6.7	12.8			12.6
2017	6.992						87	57	68.2	27.3			39	96.8	18	56.3		54	74	59				45			18.9	4.5	7.1	13.3	31	17
2018	6.883	31.5	12.7	51.6	64	49.5			66.4	34	62.8	64	41	98.4	25.8	64.8	33.2	55	75	61	47.9	52.4		43			19.1	4.6	7.2	14.4			13.8
2019	6.944						86	56	66.1	32.3			41	96	24.1	66.8		57	75	63				43	13.8		20.6	5.2	7.8	15.7	37	19
2020	7.028						90	65	68.3	25.7			36	81.6	-3.4	38.8		41	75	64				34	13.2
2021	6.959	19.4	23.8	35.1	60.7	40.7	82	51	67.7	26.7	57.7		33	77.6	-14.3	54	27	52	78	68				34	14.6		23	5.7	8.5	20.8	42	22
2022	6.693	24.8	20.3	43	60.4	45.3	85	51	63.1	18.5	61.1	56.9	29	59	-40.8	68.5	26.7	37	73	63	43	44.4		31	15.9		23.1	6	8.8	19.5
2023	6.521						83	50	61.9	19.4			29	65.3	-37	59		37	72	63				33	15.4		22.8	5.7	8.5	18.1	40	20
2024	6.959	23.4	20.4	37.3	60.8	44.8	78	47	62.7	21.7	54.5	58.8	32	72.5	-25.9	48.3	22.6	43	73	63	37.9	41.6		31	15.6		21.5	7.8	8.2	15.4
2025	6.969						81	44	59.2	30.1			26	57.6	-21.3	40		38	73	63				29			20.6	6.9	7.4	15.1
2026									59.7	24.5				52.2	-26.3	35.5

Sources