Summary
In the affluent Western countries, including the UK and the US, measurable life satisfaction follows a U-shape curve, dipping to a low in midlife but rising again in later life (despite physical ageing).
Life satisfaction in Africa tends to be consistently low throughout life. People living in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and Latin America tend to experience declining happiness with age, with no discernible improvements in later life.
Reference
Roberts, M. (2014). Happiness ‘dips in midlife in the affluent West’. London: BBC Health News, November 6th 2014.
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Reference
Steptoe, A. Deaton, A. [and] Stone, AA. (2014). Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing. The Lancet. November 6th 2014. [Epub ahead of print].
A free version of this paper from the Lancet is available currently.
