Chart of the Day: Life Satisfaction Over Time

Today’s Chart of the Day is from an article discussed in "A Wealth of Common Sense" by Ben Carlson with data from a research paper by David Blanchflower. The data shows the level of happiness someone experiences according to their age. Notably, it is highest in the 20s, then steadily declines until the low at age 48, which is probably where the “mid-life crisis” theory comes from. It is level again until the mid 50’s and starts to climb back up until age 70.

The article notes the uptrend from middle to older age is when we tend to become wiser, more grateful, and we start to focus on positive aspects of life, rather than the regrets and disappointments.