I helped Semafor and Gallup release the 2024 World Happiness Report.

It's bad news for the U.S..

Self-reported happiness continues to rapidly decline in the U.S., especially for young people.

1/ Let me make the case why the happiness decline is a political issue.

2/ Government's job isn't to deliver the last mile of happiness. That's up to each person individually - to figure out what brings them meaning, purpose and contentment - the 'good life' - and pursue it aggressively.

What government IS supposed to do it to pave the first mile.

3/ It's in our founding document - the Declaration of Independence says that citizens deserve a government that protects the right to pursue happiness.

But today, government is doing the opposite. We are creating rules that make is harder, not easier, for people to find…

4/ Harvard's study on Adult Development is the most comprehensive, long term study of what makes for a happy life.

It's not money or career success that best predict happiness. It's connection - stable, fulfilling relationships with other people. theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…

5/ Americans are finding WAY less connection today. Marriage is happening later, time with friends is rapidly decreasing, smart phones are facilitating our withdrawal.

This hasn't happened by accident. Public policy has made it harder for us to connect. tpr.org/bioscience-med…

6/ I talked about these policies today at the report launch.

- the decision to not regulate social media
- the destruction of healthy downtowns
- low wages = longer work weeks = less leisure time
- weakening of connective institutions like churches and unions

7/ I know it feels fuzzy and weird for public figures like to take about happiness and meaning and purpose. But isn't it time to wonder why

⬇️unemployment
⬇️crime
⬇️inflation

🟰lower rates of happiness

Maybe our current measures of policy success are wrong?