35% Indians unhappy due to negative emotions post-pandemic

"People below 18 years and above 60 years are experiencing anger or sadness"

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A recent study conducted by consulting firm HappyPlus has found that negative emotions, such as stress, anger, sadness, and worry, have increased among Indians post-COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to 'The State of Happiness 2023' report, 35% of the respondents stated that they have felt such emotions compared to 33% in 2022. The survey also found that positive emotions among Indians have dropped to 67% from 70% in the year-ago period. The study was conducted based on responses from 14,000 people from across 36 states and union territories. 

The top five reasons for negative emotions were financial issues, workplace pressure, societal norms, loneliness and isolation, and uncertainties after the COVID-19 pandemic. The report further stated that the student population has seen the highest rise in negative experiences and was impacted the most in the overall outcome.

"People below 18 years and above 60 years are experiencing anger or sadness higher than any other age group in India. It also found 5 out of 10 reported as unhappy persons in comparison to 2 out of 10 in the previous year," HappyPlus Senior Director and Research Head Shyamasree Chakrabarty said.

Relationship issues and work life have pulled down the scores along with the lack of social support in India, she said, adding "these points need to be addressed soon".

The report said 20 per cent of Indian people are suffering in 2023 compared to 12 per cent in 2021, while 63 per cent of people are struggling as against 49 per cent in the previous year. On the other hand, only 17 per cent of Indians feel that they are thriving compared to 39 per cent last year.

Though people started coming back to normal life in 2022 after recovering from pandemic-induced restrictions, their struggle has increased as the rise in the number of job loss cases or continuous fear of 'job losses' added insecurities in life, the study opined.

"Global economic scenario and constant glooming news of global recession have its share in the rise of stress and unhappiness. Indians are also struggling from a silent pandemic -- loneliness and isolation. Loneliness has been recognised as one of the major public health concerns across generations," it added.

HappyPlus founder and CEO Ashish Ambasta said individual happiness has a direct influence on mental and physical health, which lead to distress and slow down economic, social and environmental growth.

Every year, the UN publishes the 'World Happiness Report' and helps examine the effects of happiness and life satisfaction in nations and communities. As per the 2022 report, India's rank was 136 out of 146 countries.