Americans' life satisfaction is near a record low

For the poll, Gallup surveyed 1,011 U.S. adults between Jan. 2-22, 2024. The overall margin of error was four percentage points.

Overall, 78% of Americans said they were either somewhat or very satisfied with their lives, a five-percentage point decrease from the 83% who said the same in 2023. It is also the lowest level of satisfaction measured since 2011. 

The number of Americans expressing high satisfaction with their lives also declined. Currently, less than half (47%) of Americans say that they are very satisfied with their lives, just one percentage point above the record low in 2011 (46%). At the time, the United States was still recovering from the 2007-2009 recession. The only other point in time since tracking the measure that it has fallen below 50% was 2008 during the global economic crisis. 

Although most Americans across key demographic subgroups are at least somewhat satisfied with their lives, there are fewer groups that say they are very satisfied. Individuals making $100,000 or more a year, married people, those who regularly attend religious services, college graduates, Democrats, and people ages 55 and older are all more likely to say they are very satisfied with their lives than other groups. 

According to Gallup, the overall decline in Americans' life satisfaction aligns with weak economic confidence. In a recent Mood of the Nation poll, Gallup found that Americans continue to have a largely negative view of the national economy, with 63% of respondents saying that the economy is getting worse. (Sforza, The Hill, 2/8; Brenan, Gallup, 2/8; Brenan, Gallup, 1/30)

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