The International Day of Happiness, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to promote global awareness of the significance of happiness in people’s lives, is celebrated worldwide on March 20th. The 2024 World Happiness Report, a collaboration between Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board, was released to coincide with this celebration.
The report shows that the U.S. fell out of the top 20 for the first time in 12 years, now ranking 23rd, down from 15th last year.
However, despite this decline, our ongoing tracking of Americans’ happiness levels reveals some positive news. Since March 2022, we have been monitoring Americans’ happiness monthly.
Despite financial stress and other challenges, two-thirds of Americans (64%) say they are happy with their lives, with 18% being very happy and another 48% somewhat happy. Further, a majority of all the 36 demographic groups we analyze are either very happy or somewhat happy.
The data comes from a TIPP Poll of 1,419 adults nationwide completed in early March.
Happiness Index
TechnoMetrica, in its tradition of out-of-box thinking, developed the Happiness Index, a barometer of Americans’ happiness, based on the question: All things considered, how happy do you feel about your life these days?
The chart shows the answers to the question for March.
We converted the raw responses to a compact index to compare demographic segments and track happiness over time.
The index ranges from 0 to 100. Higher numbers indicate greater happiness, while lower numbers indicate decreased happiness. 50 is a neutral value.
Contrary to the World Happiness Report, our tracking shows that Americans’ happiness improved from an average of 60.3 in 2022 to 62.3 in 2023.
This month, the TIPP Happiness Index posted 61.1, with Democrats (68.6) scoring the highest, followed by Republicans (58.0) and independents (56.1)
Our data shows that happiness increases with income. The green line on the chart represents the $75K+ income group, which is consistently above the next income strata of $50K-$75K. Further, the $50-$75K group shows higher happiness than the $30K-$50K group. The under $30K group registered the lowest score almost throughout the period.
Notice the difference in happiness scores between the $75K and $30K groups, which is a whopping 10.7 points.
Under The Hood
All 36 demographic groups we track are above 50 in March, indicating happiness.
The table below shows the TIPP Happiness Index for this month and the 25-month average of the index.
The demographic groups with the highest Happiness Index scores are Blacks (70.4), investors (70.3), Democrats (68.6), households with income of $75K+ (67.9), and the 18-24 age group (66.4).
On the other hand, the groups with the lowest Happiness Index scores are independents (56.1), non-investors (56.5), households with incomes less than $30K (57.2), white men (57.5), and the Midwest (57.7)
We compared the standard deviations of TIPP indexes across the 36 demographic groups to better understand the variability of the Happiness index.
The chart below shows that financial stress and happiness exhibit the least variation, meaning better consensus among the 36 groups. The presidential leadership index and the country’s direction exhibit the greatest variation, meaning a lack of consensus among the 36 groups.
Note the position of the Happiness Index.
Financial Stress And Happiness Index
To better understand the relationship between financial stress and happiness, we plotted the RCM/TIPP Financial Stress Index and the TIPP Happiness Index for selected demographic groups. We divided the data into four quadrants using the overall index values for the Financial Stress Index and Happiness Index.
Quadrant 1: Low Stress And High Happiness
Six demographic groups—age 18-24, Democrats, male, Black/Hispanic, incomes $50K-$75K, and 65+—fall into this quadrant.
Quadrant 2: High Stress And High Happiness
Households with incomes $75K+ and the 25-44 age group are the two groups in this quadrant.
Quadrant 3: High Stress And Low Happiness
Five groups occupy quadrant 3. They are Republicans, White, Age 45-64 group, female, and under $30K income households.
Quadrant 4: Low Stress And Low Happiness
The two groups in quadrant 4 include $30K-$50K households and independents.
It’s heartening that despite the many daily life pressures, including financial stress in an inflationary environment and intense political polarization, Americans remain upbeat.
Happy Easter!
TIPP Takes
Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, And More
1. Truce Talks Between Israel, Hamas To Resume Sunday In Cairo: Egyptian TV – Reuters
Truce talks between Israel and Hamas will resume on Sunday in Cairo, the latest attempt to bring about a pause after nearly six months of war in the Gaza Strip, Egypt’s Al Qahera News TV reported, citing a security source.
An Israeli official told Reuters that Israel will send a delegation to Cairo on Sunday. A Hamas official, however, told Reuters the group would wait to hear from Cairo mediators on the outcome of their talks with Israel first.
2. Thousands Of Jews Arabs In Israel Rally With ‘Stop The War On Gaza’ Banners – AFP
Thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel rallied Friday for an end to the Gaza war as they marked Land Day, an annual commemoration of a deadly 1976 crackdown on protests against Israeli land seizures.
Most of the demonstrators were Arab citizens of Israel – Palestinians who evaded displacement during the 1948 war that led to Israel’s creation and who, with their descendants, now constitute around 21 percent of its population.
3. Second Shipment With Almost 400 Tons Of Food For Gaza Leaves Cyprus Port – Reuters
A cargo ship and a platform towed by a salvage vessel will take the second aid shipment to Gaza.
It will be the second dispatch of aid via Cyprus, where Cypriot authorities have established, in cooperation with Israel, a maritime corridor to facilitate pre-screened cargoes arriving directly in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
The U.S.-based charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) arranged the mission with Spain’s Open Arms charity. The UAE financed the mission mainly, and Cypriot authorities supported it.
4. Zelenskiy Dismisses More Advisers In Reshuffle As Russian Attacks Intensify – RFE/RL
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed Serhiy Shefir from his post as first assistant to the president and also fired three advisers and two presidential representatives who oversee volunteer activities and soldiers’ rights.
It follows the dismissal of Oleksiy Danilov, the National Security and Defense Council secretary.
No reason was given immediately for the March 30 shake-up that comes hours after the Ukrainian Air Force said Russian forces fired four missiles into eastern Ukraine overnight, as well as 12 Shahed drones across the country.
5. Putin Pained By Moscow Attack, Even If Not Visible – Kremlin – D.W.
The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin was still upset about last week’s deadly attack on a concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said:
Believe me, if you don’t see tears on his face, it doesn’t mean he’s not in pain. And what he is going through, it is unlikely that anyone will ever recognize and understand.
Meanwhile, U.S. and European diplomats were among those who visited a makeshift memorial.
6. China’s Manufacturing Activity Expands In March After A 5-Month Lull – A.P.
According to an official survey of factory managers released, manufacturing in China expanded in March after contracting for five consecutive months. This suggests a rebound in industrial activities following the Lunar New Year holiday.
The official Purchasing Managers Index, or PMI, rose from 49.1 in February to 50.8 in March. The PMI is on a scale up to 100, where 50 marks the cutoff between expansion and contraction.
7. U.S. To Restrict Visas For ‘Multiple’ HK Officials – AFP
In response to the “intensifying repression” and restrictions on “civil society, media, and dissenting voices,” the State Department “is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
China’s Foreign Ministry representative in Hong Kong “strongly condemned” Washington’s latest move, which smeared the new security law and interfered in China’s internal affairs.
8. U.S. Commerce Updates Export Curbs On AI Chips To China – Reuters
On Friday, the Biden administration revised five-month-old rules to make it harder for China to access U.S. artificial intelligence chips.
Those rules, released last October, seek to halt shipments to China of more advanced artificial intelligence chips designed by Nvidia and others. They are part of a raft of measures aimed at stopping Beijing from receiving cutting-edge U.S. technologies to strengthen its military.
Related: AI Poised To Become The Most Disruptive Force In History
9. Japan, China Hold “Expert Dialogue” Over Fukushima Water Releases – Kyodo News
During the talks in China, the Japanese side explained their belief that the water release is safe and detailed ongoing radiation monitoring activities.
China has upheld an import ban on all seafood products from Japan in response to the multiple discharges that began in August last year.
According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, it is the first publicly acknowledged Japan-China expert dialogue on water releases, even though the two countries have communicated on the issue at various levels.
10. Counter-Terror Probe After Iranian TV Journalist Stabbed Outside London Home – PA Media
Pouria Zeraati is in a stable condition after being attacked with a knife on Friday, Iran International said. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening, and no arrests have yet been made.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement the motivation for the attack was not yet clear; his occupation, coupled with recent threats towards UK-based Iranian journalists, meant specialist counter-terrorism officers were leading the probe.
11. Saudi Arabia And Iran To Make Historic Debut At Miss Universe Pageant This Year – Financial Express
In a historic moment for Saudi Arabia, the kingdom is set to participate in the prestigious Miss Universe pageant for the first time, signaling a significant shift in the country’s approach to beauty pageants.
A seasoned beauty pageant contestant and influencer, Rumy Alqahtani, took to her Instagram to announce her selection as the representative of Saudi Arabia in the event.
The upcoming Miss Universe competition, scheduled for September 18 in Mexico, will witness Iran’s debut alongside Saudi Arabia’s historic entry.
12. Record 63% Of Japanese In Financial Stress, Poll Shows – Kyodo News
A recent government survey showed that a record 63.2 percent of respondents said they do not feel financially secure in Japan and have a negative outlook on their future.
The result was the worst since the question on reasons for being dissatisfied was added to the survey in 2008, taking the public’s pulse on economic and social attitudes.
When asked about the areas in which Japan is heading in a negative direction, price inflation accounted for the largest share, at 69.4 percent, while a significant percentage of people expressed concern over the economy.
Related: Kishida cabinet approval
13. U.S., S. Korea, Japan Officials Discuss Cooperation Against N.K. Cyberthreats – Yonhap
During their second session of the working group talks in Washington, all parties shared concerns that North Korean IT workers are obtaining employment under disguised identities from IT companies abroad.
According to the ministry, this generated revenue to help fund the North’s nuclear and missile programs and engage in malicious cyber activities.
The working group was launched in December as a follow-up to a cooperation agreement between the three countries leaders, which they reached during their landmark August summit at Camp David.
14. U.S. Plans To Restore Its Diplomatic Presence In Libya – Libyaupdate
The Biden administration has notified Congress of its plan to restore the US diplomatic presence in Libya after a decade of unrest in the North African country that forced US diplomats to evacuate the US embassy in Tripoli.
The State Department submitted formal notification to lawmakers this month, beginning what the department expects will be a one- to two-year process to establish a “temporary diplomatic facility” in Libya, a senior State Department official told Al-Monitor.
The U.S. has no embassy in Libya since its personnel withdrew under intense military guard in 2014 amid fighting between militias in Tripoli.
15. AT&T Data Breach: Millions Of Customers Caught Up In Major Dark Web Leak – BBC
The US telecoms giant said personal data belonging to 73 million current or former AT&T customers has been leaked online. Information, including addresses, social security numbers, and passcodes, was published on the dark web.
AT&T said it had not identified evidence indicating the data had been stolen but had brought cybersecurity experts to investigate. The data involved in the breach appears to be from 2019 or earlier and is linked to 7.6 million customers and 65.4 former account holders.
16. People Who Drink More Water Are Happier, Here’s Why – Yahoo Life
A new True Lemon/OnePoll survey found that people who drink more water report higher happiness levels than those who drink less water.
46% of the people who drank the most water (10 or more glasses a day) said they were very happy, compared to 22% who drank the least (less than one glass a day).
The link between hydration and happiness isn’t just observational, either. One study from 2014 found that when people who drink less than 1.2 liters of water a day increased their fluid intake, this boosted their mood.
Emily Mendez, private practice psychotherapist, wellness expert, and mental health writer at Blog of Tom, tells Yahoo UK:
These recent studies linking increased water intake to higher self-reported positive emotions simply reinforce what I’ve consistently observed in my clinical work. When we nurture our bodies through adequate hydration, our minds naturally follow suit, uplifting mood and mental clarity.
The connection makes perfect sense when considering how dehydration taxes our physical and psychological systems. Clients arriving fatigued and struggling with headaches or brain fog often admit to neglecting their water intake. But once we implement consistent hydration habits, it’s like a mental fog lifts. Their energy, focus, and resilience in the face of stressors improve markedly.
Republished with permission from TIPP Insights
