Social relationships and personality matter more than factors such as income, according to a major new study of Swedes' well-being. The results also confirm a clear generational divide, with younger adults reporting lower well-being than older people - a shift that began during the pandemic.
Researchers analysed responses from more than 34,000 Swedes and compared a wide range of factors - including personality, age, social relationships, location and political identity - that could be linked to how people perceive their lives.
"We wanted to get as broad a picture as possible of what is associated with well-being. Not just temporary happiness, but also a sense of meaning, balance, and overall life satisfaction," says August Nilsson, one of the researchers behind the study.
Relationships are key
The study shows that the quality of our social relationships is strongly linked to how we experience well-being. Perceived loneliness, in turn, is closely associated with lower well-being.
"We already know that loneliness negatively affects both mental and physical health. If good relationships are shown to be the most important factor for well-being, we need to consider how society can create conditions that foster closeness and a sense of community," says August Nilsson.
Personality traits matter
The results also showed that our dominant personality traits play a role. In particular, neuroticism stood out. Swedes with higher levels of worry and emotional instability (neuroticism) reported significantly lower well-being.
While people who are more social and outgoing (high extroversion) typically report much higher well-being, this link turned out to be relatively weak among Swedes.
Clear shift among young people after 2020
The most surprising findings were related to age. Previous research has not shown large differences in well-being between younger and older Swedes over time. However, the researchers now observe a shift starting in 2020, during the pandemic.
"What surprised us the most was how clearly young adults stood out. Historically, young people have often had broad social networks and strong optimism about the future. Now we are seeing almost the opposite," says psychology researcher and co-author Petri Kajonius.
The researchers also found that younger individuals were more likely to report feeling lonely.
"It is striking that people in their twenties in Sweden experience greater loneliness than those aged 80 or older. One possible explanation is that many young people lost important social contexts in their formative years during the pandemic, which may have affected their relationships later in life," says August Nilsson.
Southern Swedes report higher well-being
The researchers also identified geographical differences in well-being. People in Halland, Skåne, and Kronoberg reported above-average well-being, while those in Västmanland reported lower levels.
The study also examined factors such as political identity and income. Individuals who identified with centrist parties generally reported higher well-being than those aligned with the political left or right. Income, however, had a relatively weak connection to well-being compared with relationships and personality.
Who is faring best in Sweden today?
"Based on the results, it is almost possible to sketch a statistical 'ideal' individual: an emotionally stable older resident of Halland, with strong social relationships and a centrist political orientation," concludes August Nilsson.
