Men are happier than women, and married couples happier than singles, according to a new study.
The study, commissioned by Benenden Health, asked participants to rate their happiness in 12 areas of life. Men reported higher levels of happiness in seven of the 12 areas, including their appearance, career, work and salaries. Women, meanwhile, said they were happier when it came to their health and relationships, specifically their family and love lives.
Paul Keenan of Benenden Health said: “It’s interesting to see men are more likely to adopt a more upbeat view overall – although that particular finding is likely to be a debate that will rumble on and on.”
A third of the people studied said they would feel happier if they partner showed them more commitment. Married couples, meanwhile, reported much higher levels of happiness than single people in almost all the areas studied.. However, one fifth of the couples also said they had become less optimistic about the future since getting married.
The biggest single cause of unhappiness cited was worries about money and the researchers claim that as little as £132 extra per month would make a huge difference to most people’s levels of happiness.
