Young Adult Life Satisfaction Declines in Gallup Poll

The share of young adults describing their lives as thriving has dropped significantly since 2010.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Youth

Young Adult Life Satisfaction Declines in Gallup Poll

Live Poll

Is life satisfaction for young adults in the U.S. declining compared to previous generations?

A new Gallup Life Evaluation Index poll shows that just 44% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 now describe their lives as thriving. This figure represents a marked decline from the 64% reported in 2010.

Why it matters

The drop in life satisfaction among young adults is attributed to various modern stressors, including the widespread access to smartphones and social media, the impact of a global pandemic, and rising housing costs.

As of 2026, 27% of young adults are currently treated for depression, an 11-point increase since 2019. Meanwhile, 53% of adults aged 65 and older report they are thriving, outpacing the young adult population.

The players

Gallup

Gallup is an analytics and advisory company known for its public opinion polls and behavioral economics research.

The details

The survey measured life satisfaction through self-reporting on thriving status, joy, productivity, and social relationships. Despite these challenges, 64% of Gen Z reported experiencing joy yesterday, and 47% feel their relationships with partners or friends are stronger than ever.

2010 marked the baseline when 64% of young adults were thriving.
2019 saw depression treatment rates among young adults increase by 11 points.
2020 saw the thriving percentage among young adults drop to 39%.
2026 is when Gallup released the current Life Evaluation Index poll.

Culture Shift

This decline in self-reported wellbeing reflects a broader societal shift as younger generations grapple with the psychological toll of hyper-connectivity. It highlights a departure from historical life satisfaction norms as technology and economic pressures reshape the daily human experience.

The findings suggest that many young adults are navigating a period of lower life satisfaction, which may influence personal daily routines and priorities regarding mental health care. Readers may find that focusing on the 47% of peers reporting stronger personal connections offers a practical path to improving their own social wellbeing.

The takeaway

While self-reported thriving status has declined, a majority of Gen Z still report experiencing joy daily. Prioritizing consistent social connection and goal setting may help buffer against the stressors identified in the survey.