Research shows significant decline in well-being of Finns since 2020

Recent research from the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation reveals a significant decline in the well-being of Finns since 2020. The report, titled “The State of Inequality in Finland 2024,” indicates that while satisfaction with life has historically been high, multiple factors have contributed to a marked drop in happiness levels.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the subsequent rise in living costs have all played critical roles in this shift. Furthermore, the report highlights a notable decrease in social mobility among the population.

In 2016, before the pandemic, 82% of respondents reported feeling happy frequently or constantly. By the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, this figure plummeted to just 57%. The decline in happiness and life satisfaction has been observed across all demographics, with young people experiencing the most significant deterioration in well-being.

“It’s crucial to take the distress of young people seriously, as it may lead to various compounded issues that become increasingly difficult and costly to address,” warns doctoral researcher Markus Laaninen in the report’s press release.

The “State of Inequality in Finland 2024” report is authored by a group of 15 researchers specializing in inequality. The Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, established in 2005, is a social democratic think tank focused on social issues in Finland.