Middle age, unhappier than in 2006-2010

2024-11-25 07:43:00, Sociale CNA

Albania has taken steps forward in various fields during the last decades, but the level of happiness in the middle age (45-59 years) has taken steps behind.

According to the Global Happiness Index for 2024, middle-aged respondents in Albania reported lower levels of happiness for the period 2021-2023 compared to 2006-2010 (see chart below).

Global data showed that the level of happiness among Albanians at the peak of age decreased by at least -0.3 points between 2006 and 2023.

The level of happiness of Albanians went against the developments in Central and Eastern Europe. For example, Serbia topped the list for increasing the level of happiness in the middle-aged population.

The Serbian population in the 45-59 age group reported high levels of happiness growth between 2026 – 2025 by almost 1.8 points, followed by Bulgaria.

Apart from Albania, the countries of the Region, Romania, Bosnia, Kosovo, North Macedonia reported much higher levels of happiness in 2023 than in 2006. In the entire region, only Albania has shown the opposite trend.

The middle age, those over 45 years old, are the generation that were born in the dictatorship and most of them are committed to its overthrow. They had big dreams for the country and prosperity, which seem to have been shattered now after 34 years of democratic developments.

From 2006-2010 to 2021-2023, the level of overall happiness varied greatly from country to country, ranging from an increase of up to 1.8 points in Serbia, an increase of 69 places and 1.6 points in Bulgaria. Afghanistan had the biggest drop of 2.6 points between 2013 and 2024.

Central and Eastern Europe had the largest increase in happiness across the globe in the last decade. East Asia also saw large increases, especially for the elderly population.

In the period 2021-2023, negative emotions were more present for women than for men in every region.

Negative emotions are more frequent than in 2006-2010 everywhere except East Asia and Central and Eastern Europe, unlike the rest of the world.

Positive emotions have not changed much, while they remain more frequent among young people than among older age groups.

Global happiness inequality has increased by more than 20% over the past ten years, across all regions and age groups, to an extent that varies greatly by age and region./ Monitor Magazine.