Happiness Research, Geography (Economics?) and Ageing (BBC News / Lancet / JGCR)

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.

Full Text Link

Reference

Roberts, M. (2014). Happiness ‘dips in midlife in the affluent West’. London: BBC Health News, November 6^th 2014.

This relates to:

Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).

Reference

Steptoe, A. Deaton, A. [and] Stone, AA. (2014). Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing. The Lancet. November 6^th 2014. [Epub ahead of print].

A more recent investigation, of likely interest:

Full Text Link

Reference

Kar, N. (2019). Being happy in old age: reasons, methods and challenges. Journal of Geriatric Care and Research. November 25^th 2019, Vol.6(2): 35-37.