Fewer Icelanders Report Being Happy, Well-being Declines

Well-being among adults in Iceland is showing signs of decline, according to a new report from the Directorate of Health. The "Talnabrunnur" newsletter, which tracks mental health, sleep, stress, loneliness, happiness, and overall well-being from 2016 to 2025, reveals that most indicators have either stagnated or worsened.

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The proportion of men and women who rate their mental health as good is equal, or about 70%. However, the proportion of women who rate their mental health as good has decreased over the past decade, while there were no changes among men.

While about 70% of both men and women rate their mental health as good, this figure has decreased over the past decade, notably among women. The decline is most pronounced among young adults aged 18-24 and individuals struggling financially. In contrast, older people consistently report higher levels of well-being, including better mental health, greater happiness, less stress, fewer financial problems, and less loneliness.

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Measurements related to well-being are generally worse among younger age groups but improve with age. Older people more often report better mental health, greater happiness and well-being, less stress, less financial difficulty, and less loneliness.

The report also highlights a steady decrease in the number of people describing themselves as "very happy." By 2025, only 53% of men and 57% of women reported being very happy, down from 58% of men and 64% of women ten years prior. Stress and loneliness have notably increased, with a seven-percentage-point rise in daily stress among women over the last decade.

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Stress and loneliness have increased, and happiness has decreased. The increase in the proportion of those experiencing high stress in daily life is primarily due to increased stress among women, as stress has increased by seven percentage points among women in the last 10 years.

Financial status significantly impacts well-being. Those facing financial hardship experience poorer mental health, higher stress, less sleep, greater loneliness, and reduced happiness and well-being compared to those who find it easy to make ends meet. This gap has widened over the past decade, underscoring the link between economic stability and personal welfare in Iceland.

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Measurements show a significant difference in well-being based on financial status. Those who have difficulty making ends meet experience poorer mental health, more stress, shorter sleep, more loneliness, less happiness, and less well-being than those who find it easy to do so. This difference has increased over the past decade.