Hong Kong’s happiness index slips as survey identifies ‘aimless’ millennials as unhappiest age group

Hong Kong's overall happiness index has declined this year, with the city's millennials emerging as its unhappiest age group according to a new survey. The General Happiness Index 2026, released by non-profit Wofoo Social Enterprises, saw the index drop to 5.87 out of 10, a decrease of 0.08 points from the previous year. The survey, which polled 1,039 adults, found that those born between 1980 and 1995, known as millennials or Generation Y, reported lower happiness scores compared to other age groups.

In particular, over half of the city's 30-to-45-year-olds are unmarried, and nearly two-thirds are neither parents nor caregivers, challenging the "sandwich generation" myth. Despite having no significant economic differences, single millennials reported significantly lower happiness and life satisfaction scores than married and parenting individuals, suggesting they are facing deeper challenges, including a sense of aimlessness.

Hong Kong's overall population-wide score has remained below the "passing level" of 6.0 out of 10 since 2023, and over 40% of respondents this year reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The survey also revealed that Hong Kong's economic situation and government administration received the lowest grades.