When you hear Bobby McFerrin’s iconic song Don’t Worry, Be Happy, it’s easy to wish happiness was as simple as singing a catchy chorus.
For some young people in the world, life has become a lot more complex. Recent studies show that young people, particularly in developed countries, are becoming less fulfilled and satisfied than older generations.
Young people now face several new challenges that are reducing their happiness in ways previous generations never faced.
Earlier this year, I stumbled upon an article in The Guardian exclaiming that young people are becoming less happy than older generations. To be honest, I wasn’t planning to read it, dismissing it as another sensational headline. But I was surprised by the depth of the issue. According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, young people are experiencing sharp declines in happiness, with under-30s in the UK ranking 32nd globally in terms of life satisfaction. It seems the so-called “happiest years of your life” aren’t quite living up to their reputation.
The pressure on today’s young people is obvious if you just look around. Earlier this year, in a different Guardian article, a group of teenagers from Dagenham shared their concerns about uncertain futures, rapid changes in communities, and the attraction of negative influences like gangs. Their worries are about surviving in a world that to them feels unstable. A 2024 survey by YouGov for Barnardo’s revealed that UK teenagers’ biggest worries are money, jobs, and the climate crisis. One in five believe they won’t have enough money to live comfortably by the time they’re 30.
Young people spend a lot of their time engaging with their friends on social networks but less time meeting up with them. This creates young people who feel isolated within their own communities. The Prince’s Trust NatWest Youth Index 2023 shows that happiness and confidence among 16 to 25-year-olds have hit an all-time low, with financial worries and mental health topping their list of concerns.
There is a silver lining though—according to the World Economic Forum, most young people worldwide are happy. The unhappy young people live in the more prosperous countries. Another interesting fact is that young people do not see money as a solution for unhappiness. The Generation Z: Global Citizenship Survey by the Varkey Foundation found that what makes young people happiest is being healthy, both physically and mentally, along with strong relationships with friends and family.
Here at LifeLine Projects, we recognise that we can’t solve every problem facing young people. We can’t change the economy, lower the cost of living, or get rid of student loans. But there are things we can do—and are doing—through our SW!TCH programmes.
Our SW!TCH Futures team offers more than just after-school activities—we provide one-to-one mentoring, holiday activities, residentials, and a safe space where young people can connect with others, develop leadership skills, and lift themselves out of isolation. For those at risk or already involved in criminal behaviour, our VIP Mentoring framework offers guidance to improve self-esteem, address negative behaviours, and help young people develop positive aspirations for their future.
Through weekly sessions, young people build trusting relationships with their mentors, gain confidence, and take control of their futures. We also identify young leaders within our programmes and invite them to become SW!TCH Ambassadors, empowering them to drive positive change in their own communities.
At LifeLine, we’ve learned that what truly makes young people happy isn’t just a matter of having cheaper food or more material things—it’s about having someone to talk to, feeling safe, and knowing there’s a supportive community ready to help them navigate life’s challenges.
In the words of Bobby McFerrin, “in every life / we have some trouble / but when you worry / you make it double”. At LifeLine, we’re committed to helping young people forget life’s modern troubles.
