UK teenagers facing ‘happiness recession’ says Children’s Society

UK children are facing a “happiness recession”, a charity has said after its analysis pointed to lower life satisfaction than youngsters in other European countries.

It also found that girls and teenagers from poorer backgrounds feel worst off.

The Children’s Society’s latest Good Childhood Report collated data from various research in recent years which it said presents a “deeply worrying picture” on the wellbeing of teenagers in the UK.

A rise in the cost of living which has seen more families facing financial difficulties has contributed to challenges for young people, the charity said.

The UK’s continued position at the bottom of a table of European countries for 15-year-olds’ life satisfaction suggests children across the four nations are struggling more than those in other countries and that improving their wellbeing should be a bigger priority here than elsewhere across Europe, the charity said.

The most recent Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment) survey for 2022 showed that on average a quarter of 15-year-olds in the UK had low life satisfaction, ranking bottom of 27 countries and above the European average of 17%.

Almost a third (30.9%) of girls aged 15 in the UK reported low life satisfaction – more than the one in five (19.8%) boys and higher than the European average of 21% for girls.

The UK’s “large gap” in average life satisfaction between the 25% most advantaged and the 25% most disadvantaged 15-year-olds also showed that “socio-economic inequalities also continue to be an important worry in this country”, the charity said.

Its report also included a reference to the most recent Understanding Society report covering UK youngsters aged 10 to 15 which showed average wellbeing was lower in 2021/22 than when the survey began a decade earlier, and the charity’s own annual household survey for this year which found those aged 10 to 17 living in households in financial strain were more likely to have low life satisfaction than their peers.

The charity has called for urgent attention on the issues from Government, publishing a proposed “roadmap” to prioritise children’s wellbeing.

Mark Russell, chief executive at The Children’s Society, said: “Alarm bells are ringing: UK teenagers are facing a happiness recession, with 15-year-olds recording the lowest life satisfaction on average across 27 European nations.

“Particularly affected are girls and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Equally alarming is the high level of food poverty found among these young people. The UK ranks fourth highest for food poverty among 15-year-olds across 21 European countries, underscoring the severe impacts of societal inequalities on their wellbeing.

“Today, we’re not merely highlighting problems; we’re advocating for solutions. We have devised concrete steps to address these national challenges. It’s time for change, and we’re committed to leading the way.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We understand the pressures teenagers are facing, and that is why we are taking action to deliver our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances of every child.

“We will develop an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty, led by a taskforce co-chaired by the Education Secretary and Work and Pensions Secretary, looking at how to increase household income, bring down essential costs, and tackle the negative experience of living in poverty.

“This comes alongside plans to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school.”

Published: 29/08/2024 by Radio NewsHub