The US is backsliding on well-being.
The news: A bipartisan report shows broad declines in American well-being from 1990–2024.
Progress report. The new State of the Nation Project report splits well-being into two buckets: personal (life satisfaction, depression rates, suicides, and overdoses) and social (isolation trends plus trust in people, science, and institutions) — breaking down outcomes state-by-state.
Zero states improved life satisfaction, depression, overdoses, income inequality, and trust in the federal government. Only 2 measures improved everywhere: child mortality and state GDP.
Unmoored. The US ranks in the top 2% of countries economically, but the bottom 11% on anxiety and depression. And while richer states show higher rates of social well-being, economic growth isn’t translating to personal satisfaction.
Relapse. Spending >6 hours/day on their phones and lonelier than ever, Americans are lacking faith, community, collectivism, ritual, and purpose — trying to fill the spiritual void with wellness.
Provocative politics are exacerbating the problem, with 62% stressed by societal division. Nostalgic for simpler times, they’re buying dumbtech and embracing off-grid activities.
Takeaway: Despite near-universal income gains, people fear the country’s future is bleak. Beyond self-serving products, companies that care about wellness should think about the sentiment they’re selling.
