Happy Country, Unhappy Youth?

Sweden always ranks near the top of global happiness lists. But those lists usually rely on a single question about how people rate their lives. A new study looked deeper, surveying over 15,000 Swedish adults across seven areas of life—from mental health and finances to relationships and purpose.

Even in one of the world's happiest countries, a silent crisis of loneliness and anxiety is affecting an entire generation of young people.

The results show that Sweden does have real strengths. Swedes reported high life satisfaction, strong financial security, and low levels of anxiety and depression compared to people in other countries. But the overall averages hide a striking divide. Older Swedes—especially those over 80—reported the highest wellbeing across nearly every area measured.

They felt more purpose, had stronger relationships, and felt less lonely than younger adults. Meanwhile, the youngest Swedes (ages 18–24) reported the lowest scores. They experienced depression symptoms about three times as often as the oldest group, and anxiety symptoms about seven times as often. They also felt more lonely and less financially secure. Interestingly, despite their current struggles, young Swedes remained highly optimistic about their future.

The study also found smaller gaps between men and women, and between native-born and foreign-born Swedes, mostly in areas like mental health and finances. The big takeaway? A single happiness ranking can mask real struggles happening within a country, especially among young people who may be languishing even in a wealthy, stable society.