NEWS COPY
The happiest year of our life occurs when we turn 34, new research reveals.
A detailed study of 2,000 over 40s commissioned by home security specialist Yale, asked people to
reflect on their levels of happiness through different stages of life and compiled the key factors for
each decade.
Results showed age 34 as the happiest year for people on average – ticking boxes such as tying the
knot, having kids and making decent strides in a chosen career being the biggest influencers.
The study also found 34 is the age when we are most comfortable in ourselves, earn enough money
to get on the property ladder, meet monthly payments with confidence and begin starting to enjoy the
finer things in life.
Being able to have visited one or two dream destinations and still feeling healthy were also reasons
cited for those deeming this their happiest age to date.
The research found the happy factors for those reflecting on their twenties were associated with more
freedom, wider social circles and launching a career.
Those who chose a year in their forties as their happiest so far cited career changes, watching the
kids grow up and getting a bigger home among their reasons.
While people opting for a year in their fifties pointed to work winding down, the kids leaving home,
paying off the mortgage and even getting a new start after a divorce among their defining moments.
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Yesterday Nigel Fisher, MD of Yale, said: “The results show the range of the many happy times
experienced by people throughout the different stages of life.
“With the average age we’re most happiest coming out in the mid-thirties, it suggests that the feeling
of being settled in your work and personal life while still looking to the future is important.
“The study reminds us of the many treasured memories and experiences to be had at every stage of
life and the foundation of many of those is a happy and secure home life.
“The same can be said for the memories and associations a family home holds, whether it’s family
dinners every Sunday, building a den in the living room with the kids, or BBQs with friends in the
garden. If a home is ever broken into, these memories are compromised, and Yale wants to avoid this
at all costs.
“That’s why the ‘Yale it’ campaign urges homeowners to consider the ways in which they can keep
their treasured possessions safe. By thinking about investing in a house alarm, or changing your locks
when you move, a few simple steps can make a big difference to keeping your home – and the
memories it holds – protected.”
The study also found those choosing a year in their sixties as their happiest year so far said the ability
to retire, travel more and finally relax as crucial boosts to a positive outlook.
A key reason behind being most happy included ‘meeting someone I fell in love with’ which appeared
in the happy moments for 20s, 30s and 40s, while ‘getting married’ appears in every decade.
People were most likely to state that they had become happier as they had grown older rather than
the other way round, results showed.
Overall people reflected on their lives happily, with 47 per cent able to say most of their life had been
happy so far.
And 43 per cent said their life had been an equal balance of happy and rougher times, while one in
ten unfortunately looked back on their life as mostly unhappy.
Nigel at Yale added: “Getting on the property ladder was a recurring theme throughout the study and
the age a person gets their first home often correlated with the happiest year they chose.
“That sense of a permanent home and place to create new and happy memories is a big part of the
study and shows the importance of a secure home environment in making us content with life.
“Making sure that home is secure and doing everything to ensure our treasured possessions and
memories are as protected as they can be should always be a priority.”
www.yale.co.uk
HAPPY FACTORS – 20s
1. I was young and physically fit
2. I had less responsibility/more freedom
3. I was comfortable with my appearance
4. I got married
5. My family were still around
6. All my money was spent on myself
7. I met someone I fell in love with
8. I had kids
9. I had a wider social circle
10. I partied a lot
11. I traveled a lot
12. I had flings/went on dates/played the field
13. My career took off
14. I graduated university/got qualifications
15. I lived with friends
HAPPY FACTORS – 30s
1. I had kids
2. I met someone I fell in love with
3. I was able to enjoy the finer things in life
4. I travelled
5. I started making the right decisions
6. I was making more money than I ever had
7. I got married
8. Had a great holiday abroad
9. I got a great new job/made a career change
10. Finally got on the property ladder
11. I moved abroad
12. My family members got married
HAPPY FACTORS – 40s
1. Felt comfortable with myself
2. Had a great family life
3. Met someone I fell in love with
4. Had a great time with my kids/kids were growing up
5. Got some ‘me time’ back
6. I was very successful
7. I had a lot of money put away
8. Got married
9. Got a divorce, started over
10. Changed career
11. Lost weight/got fit
12. Moved into a bigger home
13. Kids moved out
14. Became stay-at-home
15. I got over an illness/condition
HAPPY FACTORS – 50s
1. I was comfortable financially and emotionally
2. Work was winding down
3. Pay off the mortgage
4. I went travelling
5. I became a grandparent
6. Kids moved out
7. Got divorced, started fresh
8. Got married or re-married
9. I was at the top of my game career-wise
10. I got over an illness/condition
11. Had a big wedding anniversary
12. Lost weight/got fit
13. Kids moved out
14. Renewed vows
HAPPY FACTORS – 60+
1. Finally retired
2. Was able to travel
3. Could concentrate on hobbies and interests
4. Had freedom from work
5. I started to appreciate life
6. I was able to relax for the first time
7. Could finally concentrate on myself
8. Became a grandparent
9. Got fit and healthy
10. Got married
11. Down-sized the house
12. I got over an illness/condition
