Men Are Happier Than Women

Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen Dec 16, 2008

“Men come closer to fulfilling their aspirations, are more satisfied with their family lives and financial situations, and are the happier of the two,” says Anke Plagnol, a teaching associate at the University of Cambridge.

Plagnol and University of Southern California economist Richard Easterlin studied how unfulfilled desires affect feelings of well-being. These researchers analyzed nationally representative U.S. surveys from 1978 to 2003, which summarized how people define “the good life”, current feelings of well-being, and future aspirations. Plagnol and Easterlin then computed the “shortfall.” That is, they studied whether men’s and women’s aspirations exceed actual achievements – which directly affect happiness levels.

The results? In early adulthood, women are happier than men because they’re reaching their goals. They achieve their material goods and family life aspirations. But, as life goes on, “the glow wears off.” One possible reason is that older women are more likely to be in broken unions – divorce and widowhood – than men, which decreases their happiness levels. People in relationships tend to be more secure financially, which also affects their feelings of well-being.

“Of course, one doesn't have to be married to be happy, but if that's something you really want – and it is for most people – then the failure to attain it can have an impact on your overall happiness,” says Plagnol.

Men are least happy in their 20’s (when they’re more likely to be single). After the age of 41, men’s financial happiness exceeds women’s financial happiness. After age 48, men’s overall happiness exceeds women’s happiness. After age 64, men’s satisfaction with family life exceeds women’s satisfaction with family life.

This research was published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, July 2008.