Life satisfaction in EU down in 2021 compared to 2018

Source: Schengen Visa Info

The European Office for Statistics, Eurostat, has revealed that citizens of the EU were slightly less satisfied with their lives in 2021 compared to 2018.

According to Eurostat, life satisfaction in the EU dropped by an average of 0.1 points from 7.3 in 2018 to 7.2 in 2021. The same stressed that the satisfaction drop is a probable reflection of the Coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the lives of the people living in the EU, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Data provided by Eurostat show that in 2021, life satisfaction was highest in Austria, Finland, Romania, and the Netherlands. In contrast, life satisfaction was the lowest in Bulgaria, with only 5.7 points.

Moreover, data has further shown that compared to 2018, a total of 14 EU Member States registered a decrease in overall life satisfaction. Compared to 2018, life satisfaction decreased the most in 2021 in Ireland, which topped the list in 2018, from 8.1 points to 7.3 points in 2021. Ireland was followed by France and Denmark, which registered a decrease of 0.5 points.

On the other hand, compared to 2018, life satisfaction increased in Lithuania to 7.0 points, in Croatia to 6.8 points, in Greece to 6.8 points, and in Romania to 7.7 points.

In addition to the above-mentioned, Eurostat explained that life satisfaction in the EU is linked to the level of education.

“Data also showed two patterns: life satisfaction consistently decreased with age and increased with the level of education, meaning that the higher the education level, the more satisfied people tended to be with life, but the older they got, the less satisfied they felt,” the statement of Eurostat reads.

Figures have shown that individuals with a higher level of education rated their life satisfaction in the EU lower than in 2018. Conversely, the value for those with primary education remained stable.

In terms of the age of the citizens of the EU, figures revealed that in 2021, the life satisfaction level was 7.5 for those between 16 and 29 years old and 6.9 for those over the age of 65.

In order to improve life satisfaction in the EU, the Commission of the European Union decided earlier in August to start applying new rules to improve work-life balance.

In line with the new rules that officially became effective on August 2, parents have additional rights, including the right to require flexible working hours. The directive on this particular law also is aimed to increase women’s participation in the labor market.