UK adults report higher happiness levels than people in Jersey, survey

Adults in Jersey report lower levels of happiness and higher anxiety than people in the UK, according to new survey findings.

The Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, conducted by Statistics Jersey and sent to 3,500 households, asked residents to rate different aspects of their wellbeing out of 10. The results were then compared with equivalent data collected by the UK Office for National Statistics.

Overall, adults living in the UK reported higher levels of life satisfaction, happiness and a sense that life is worthwhile than those living in Jersey.

While the survey found that differences between Jersey and the UK were more pronounced among women, it also highlighted that men in Jersey experience lower wellbeing and comparable levels of stress. UK men reported higher scores for life satisfaction and feeling worthwhile, although the gap was smaller than for women.

Anxiety levels were also higher in Jersey across both genders. Compared with the UK, anxiety scores were 6% higher among men and 15% higher among women, suggesting that mental health pressures affect a broad cross-section of the population.

The data also showed that financial strain played a major role in wellbeing outcomes. Islanders who said they were struggling to cope financially reported significantly lower average wellbeing scores, regardless of gender.

Cost-of-living pressures, including housing and food costs, were cited as major contributors to stress and anxiety. Community leaders said rising expenses were putting households under increasing strain, affecting both men and women as they try to balance work, family responsibilities and financial security.

Deputy Louise Doublet said the cost of housing remained a serious challenge for many islanders, limiting independence and increasing pressure within households. She also called for a broader range of voices in politics, saying a more representative assembly could help shape policies that better address wellbeing, affordability and mental health across society.

She added that high rents and limited housing options can trap people in difficult living situations, underlining the wider social impact of Jersey’s cost-of-living challenges.

The survey paints a picture of a community under strain, with wellbeing closely linked to financial security and rising living costs — pressures felt by men and women alike.