The Happiest Age Group
Sixty-five to 79 is the happiest age group for adults, according to Office for National Statistics research.
The survey of more than 300,000 adults across the UK found life satisfaction, happiness and feeling life was worthwhile all peaked in that age bracket but declined in the over-80s.
Those aged 45 to 59 reported the lowest levels of life satisfaction, with men on average less satisfied than women.
That age group also reported the highest levels of anxiety.
Researchers said one possible reason for the lower happiness and well-being scores among this age group might be the burden of having to care for children and elderly parents at the same time.
The struggle to balance work and family commitments might also be a factor, they said.
Meanwhile, those who were younger or retired had more free time to spend on activities which promoted their well-being, the researchers suggested.
Happiness and well-being dropped off again in those over 80, however, with researchers suggesting this could be down to personal circumstances such as poor health, living alone and feelings of loneliness.
The survey asked people to rate out of 10 how happy and how anxious they had felt the day before, how satisfied they were with their life generally, and how much they felt what they did in life was worthwhile.
The published results have been broken down by age, ethnicity, religion, marital status, employment status, religion, and where in the country people live.
It found people with jobs were happier than unemployed people, with part-time workers the happiest. Of those are were not working, retirees had the highest levels of happiness, followed by students.
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35471624