Only 57% Of Japanese Feel "Happy," Survey Shows

Only 57% of Japanese feel they are happy, the third lowest rate among 30 countries surveyed, a report by French public opinion research firm Ipsos S.A. has revealed, Yuta Hiratsuka reported for Mainichi Japan.

The "Global Happiness 2024" report also found that the rate in Japan is on a downward trend, dropping by 13 percentage points from 70% in 2011.

The "Global Happiness 2024" report also found that the rate in Japan is on a downward trend, dropping by 13 percentage points from 70% in 2011.

Ipsos K.K., the Japanese arm of the company, commented, "Japan is not alone in this downward trend in happiness. It may be due to political distrust, conflicts, natural disasters, and the spread of the coronavirus."

The survey was conducted mainly online from December 2023 to January 2024, targeting a total of about 23,000 people aged between 16 and 74 in 30 countries in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and other regions, including the US. In Japan, responses were received from some 2,000 people.

In Japan, 57% selected either "very happy" or "rather happy." The combined rate was highest in the Netherlands at 85%, followed by Mexico at 83% and Indonesia at 82%, with Japan coming in 28th.

The lowest percentages were found in South Korea and Hungary, both at 48%, and the average for the 30 countries was 71%, down from 77% in the 2011 survey.