Countries by Low Life Satisfaction

What Low Life Satisfaction Measures

Share of adults with low self-reported life satisfaction, from OECD How's Life / Well-Being.

Why This Ranking Matters

Examining Low Life Satisfaction across all countries reveals patterns that might not be obvious at the national level. Regional clusters, outlier nations, and historical trajectories all become clearer when the full global picture is assembled in a single ranking.

Global Range

Values range from 0.03% of adults 16+ (Mexico) to 23.3% of adults 16+ (Japan) — a 787-fold difference across 34 countries.

Regional Patterns

European countries dominate this ranking, holding 17 of the top 20 positions. This strong regional concentration suggests shared economic, geographic, or policy factors that drive higher values across the continent.

Values are tightly clustered around the median of 5.80% of adults 16+, with most countries falling within a narrow range. A few outliers at the extremes account for most of the overall spread.

Notable Outliers

Japan stands far above the rest, with a value 77% higher than second-place Greece. This extraordinary lead suggests unique national circumstances — geographic scale, resource endowment, or policy choices — that set it apart from even its closest competitors.

Continental Leaders

Asia

Japan

23.3% of adults 16+

Europe

Greece

13.16% of adults 16+

North America

Canada

7.10% of adults 16+

Oceania

New Zealand

4.80% of adults 16+