The Turkish Statistical Institute released the results of its latest life satisfaction survey on Monday, showing a decline in overall happiness among Türkiye’s population.

The percentage of individuals aged 18 and over who declared themselves happy dropped from 52.7% in 2023 to 49.6% in 2024, marking a 3.1-point decrease. Meanwhile, the proportion of individuals who declared themselves unhappy increased from 13.7% to 14.5%.

Women and Married Individuals Report Higher Happiness Levels

The survey indicated that females were generally happier than males, though both groups experienced a decline in happiness. The percentage of happy females decreased from 55.1% in 2023 to 52.3% in 2024, while for males, it fell from 50.3% to 46.9%.

Married individuals reported higher happiness levels compared to their unmarried counterparts. In 2024, 52.5% of married individuals described themselves as happy, compared to 44.0% of unmarried individuals. Among married people, 55.4% of females and 49.5% of males reported happiness.

The only age group that experienced an increase in happiness was the 25-34 age range, where the rate grew slightly from 50.7% in 2023 to 51.0% in 2024. In contrast, all other age groups saw declines, with the sharpest drop in the 45-54 age group, where happiness levels fell by 7.1 points from 53.6% to 46.5%.

Family and Health Remain Primary Sources of Happiness

When asked about sources of happiness, 72.9% of individuals cited their families as their primary source. Other key factors included their children (13.2%), themselves (4.2%), spouses (3.4%), parents (3.0%), and grandchildren (1.9%).

Regarding values that contribute to happiness, 68.3% of respondents identified being healthy as their greatest source of joy. Love (14.4%), success (8.9%), money (6.4%), and work (1.8%) followed.

Optimism for the Future and Public Service Satisfaction

Despite the decline in overall happiness, 64.3% of individuals reported feeling hopeful about their future. This optimism was slightly higher among females (64.9%) compared to males (63.6%).

The highest satisfaction rate among public services was recorded in public security services at 72.1%. Transportation services followed at 67.4%, while satisfaction with health services stood at 63.2%. Social security services, judicial services, and education services had approval rates of 58.8%, 55.9%, and 53.5%, respectively.

Cost of Living Identified as Türkiye’s Biggest Issue

According to the survey, the most pressing issue in Türkiye in 2024 was the cost of living, with 29.2% of respondents identifying it as the country’s most significant challenge. Education ranked second at 15.7%, followed by poverty at 14.0%.

The findings provide insights into the shifting sentiments of Türkiye’s population, highlighting economic concerns and social factors that influence happiness and satisfaction levels nationwide. (ILKHA)