How do you measure residents’ happiness? It may come down to having social relationships, financial security, strong ties to the community, good physical health, and plenty of career prospects, according to a new survey.
The 2019 Gallup Well-Being Index examined responses from more than 115,000 adults ages 18 and older on how they feel about their lives and what they experience on a daily basis. Overall, well-being in the U.S. has seen a gradual decline since 2016, according to the Gallup index. “It dropped substantially in 2017 and a little further in 2018, despite improvements in the economy,” says Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index. “In 2017, 21 states showed decline in well-being, and no state improved—we had never seen anything like that.” Last year, well-being was more balanced, but it also worsened slightly in some areas compared to 2017.
Relationships played a bigger role in the rankings, with emotional and social well-being worsening, Witters says. “Depression rates are up and so is daily stress and worry,” he says. But don’t worry, several states are still happy. Here are the top 10 happiest states, according to the 2019 Gallup Well-Being Index:
1. Hawaii
- Adults who like what they do every day: 63.0% (2nd highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 37.4% (18th highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 46.7% (15th highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 70.6% (the highest)
2. Wyoming
- Adults who like what they do every day: 60.8% (5th highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 43.1% (2nd highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 50.1% (4th highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 59.8% (13th highest)
3. Alaska
- Adults who like what they do every day: 60.5% (6th highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 44.5% (the highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 53.1% (the highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 64.7% (2nd highest)
4. Montana
- Adults who like what they do every day: 65.1% (the highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 38.8% (13th highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 51.4% (2nd highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 62.1% (5th highest)
5. Utah
- Adults who like what they do every day: 60.3% (7th highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 43.0% (3rd highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 49.1% (7th highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 63.1% (3rd highest)
6. Colorado
- Adults who like what they do every day: 59.5% (11th highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 40.8% (7th highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 50.1% (4th highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 62.2% (4th highest)
7. Vermont
- Adults who like what they do every day: 59.0% (13th highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 37.6% (17th highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 48.1% (10th highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 57.9% (19th highest)
8. Delaware
- Adults who like what they do every day: 55.8% (20th highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 39.3% (12th highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 45.6% (19th highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 58.5% (17th highest)
9. South Dakota
- Adults who like what they do every day: 61.3% (4th highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 37.7% (16th highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 49.4% (6th highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 61.3% (6th highest)
10. North Dakota
- Adults who like what they do every day: 62.2% (3rd highest)
- Adults in near-perfect physical health: 41.2% (6th highest)
- Adults who learn or do something interesting every day: 46.1% (17th highest)
- Adults who get positive energy from friends and family every day: 58.5% (17th highest)
Source: “Top 20 Happiest States in America: The Top One Won’t Shock You,” USA Today/24/7 Wall St. (July 3, 2019)
