For years, people assumed that middle age was the toughest stage of life. Popular psychology described a dip in happiness around the age of fifty, often called the “midlife slump.” New research now suggests that this old pattern no longer holds true. Instead, it is today’s youngest adults who are reporting the deepest struggles with well-being.
Recent global surveys show that many members of Gen Z, roughly those aged 12 to 28, rate their mental health at lower levels than older adults. This is a striking reversal. Traditionally, young people entered adulthood feeling optimistic, while middle age brought stress and dissatisfaction. Now the curve has flattened, and for some, early adulthood feels more like a downward slope.
The numbers illustrate the shift clearly. According to U.S. health data, poor mental health among young men more than doubled from 1993 to 2024. For young women, it nearly tripled in the same period. A Gallup survey in 2023 found that only 15 percent of Gen Z participants described their mental health as excellent. By comparison, more than half of Millennials gave that answer at the same age a decade earlier.
Researchers point to a mix of factors behind this decline. One obvious change is the rise of the smartphone and near-constant screen use. Studies suggest a link between heavy screen time and higher rates of anxiety and depression. Beyond screens, other challenges include the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic during formative years, as well as the financial pressures of student debt and rising living costs.
Some scholars call this a global crisis. They argue that young people are experiencing despair at levels unseen in previous generations. One of the researchers, Alex Bryson, even described the trend as a “ski slope,” where misery starts high in youth and gradually decreases with age. If true, this would mark a fundamental shift in how happiness develops over a lifetime.
Not everyone agrees that technology is the only cause. Broader social changes also play a role. Gen Z is the first generation to come of age in a fully digital environment, but they are also navigating more uncertain economies, intense academic competition, and shifting expectations in the workplace. These overlapping pressures create a landscape of constant comparison and insecurity.
Possible solutions have already been proposed. Some experts urge schools to restrict smartphone use during class hours, giving students a chance to build more in-person connections. Others recommend expanding access to affordable mental health care, creating safer spaces for young adults to talk about struggles without fear of stigma. Supportive policies, such as student debt relief and affordable housing, may also help reduce the economic weight that often fuels despair.
Cultural attitudes need attention as well. In many societies, mental health problems still carry stigma, leaving young people feeling isolated. Encouraging open conversations and normalizing help-seeking behavior are small but important steps toward reversing this trend.
The big picture is clear: the happiness curve has changed shape, and the burden now falls heavily on the youngest adults. For educators, employers, and policymakers, this means rethinking assumptions about who needs the most support. If older adults are now reporting greater stability than those just starting out, society will need to adapt quickly.
Happiness has never been a simple equation, but the struggles of Gen Z highlight how much social and technological change can alter emotional well-being. The question is no longer whether middle age is the hardest stage. It is how we can make sure young people enter adulthood with the tools, connections, and hope they need to thrive.
Based on a report by Newsweek.