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Happiness is not limited to one gender: it varies according to social and cultural contexts and personal experiences that go beyond statistics. Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev/Pexels. |
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Who Is Happier Today: Men or Women?Exploring Global and Latin American Evidence on Gender-Related Happiness, Satisfaction, and Well-BeingBy Estefanía Muriel for Ruta Pantera on 1/6/2026 6:37:59 AM |
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From a sunny morning in Medellín to the beaches of the Caribbean or the bustling markets of Mexico City, happiness is a question that resonates in the hearts of millions. But who is happier today: men or women? The answer is not simple; science reveals paradoxes, regional variations, and multiple ways to measure well-being. This article explores what we know about these realities across Latin America. Happiness, defined as life satisfaction and emotional well-being, is subjective and depends on many factors: social roles, cultural expectations, economic conditions, and personal experiences. Therefore, making a general statement can be risky. However, modern research has accumulated evidence that allows us to gain a clearer understanding of this question. The Gender Happiness Paradox One of the most intriguing findings of contemporary studies is what scholars call the female happiness paradox. Extensive research shows that, although women tend to experience worse mental health outcomes—such as anxiety, depression, and stress—more frequently than men, they often report equal or even higher levels of life satisfaction. In several advanced economies, men now report a slight advantage in emotional well-being compared to women. Photo by Joel Mott on Unsplash. The most recent article in the Journal of Population Economics indicates that in recent years, men in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union have experienced slightly higher levels of well-being and less negative affect than women. However, this conclusion is not universal across all contexts. Other studies based on global survey data—including data from more than 100 countries—show that women report greater life satisfaction than men, although the differences are small. Well-Being in Different Contexts The picture changes considerably when factors such as single status, age, and geographic region are considered. For example, recent research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that single women are, on average, happier than single men, with higher levels of life and sexual satisfaction and a lower desire for a partner than their male counterparts. Despite facing greater emotional challenges, many women continue to report life satisfaction comparable to—or even higher than—that of men. Photo by Camila Aguiar/Pexels. At the regional level, studies show that the relationship between gender and happiness varies across countries and cultures. In many high-income countries, the gaps are small or even favor men, while in others—especially in Latin America and Asia—women often report greater overall satisfaction despite facing structural inequalities. In Latin America, for example, local data indicate that in Colombia men have a slightly higher average happiness score (8.3 vs. 8.1), although women also report greater concern and emotional burden. |
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Causes Behind the Differences Why do these differences arise? Experts point to multiple factors. Women tend to form stronger social networks and find meaning in relationships and communities, which can increase their life satisfaction. At the same time, they face heavier burdens of domestic work and persistent economic inequalities that elevate daily stress levels. Interpreting surveys is also complex. Some researchers have observed that men and women respond differently to happiness scales, which can skew results if not properly adjusted. Furthermore, structural conditions—such as gender inequality in employment, exposure to violence, and cultural norms—shape how each gender perceives and reports well-being. Happiness is not limited to one gender; it varies according to social and cultural contexts and personal experiences that go beyond statistics. Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev/Pexels. In Latin America, women have made significant progress in education, employment, and civic participation. However, challenges persist, including the disproportionate burden of childcare and eldercare, which can negatively affect subjective well-being. This structural imbalance influences not only happiness, but also women’s sense of freedom and personal fulfillment. For many Latin Americans, happiness is deeply rooted in community, family, and spirituality rather than purely economic indicators. This holistic understanding may help explain why, even amid inequality, many women report high levels of life satisfaction. Beyond Gender There is no single answer that fits all contexts. In some cases, men report higher levels of well-being; in others, women do; and in many, the difference is minimal. Contemporary research emphasizes that happiness is not determined by gender alone, but by how gender intersects with social, cultural, economic, and personal factors. In Latin America—as elsewhere—understanding happiness requires respecting both data and lived experience. |
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| Despite facing greater emotional challenges, many women continue to report life satisfaction comparable to—or even higher than—that of men. Photo by Camila Aguiar/Pexels. | ||||
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References: References Blanchflower, D.G., & Bryson, A. (n.d.). The female happiness paradox . National Bureau of Economic Research. https://www.nber.org/papers/w29893 Blanchflower, D.G., & Bryson, A. (2024). The female happiness paradox . Journal of Population Economics, 37 (1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00148-024-00981-5 Gallup. (2022). Research demystifies the gender gap in life satisfaction . Gallup. https://news.gallup.com/opinion/gallup/402839/research-demystifies-gender-gap-life-satisfaction.aspx University of Toronto. (2025). Single women are happier than single men, researchers find . https://www.utoronto.ca/news/single-women-are-happier-single-men-researchers-find Graham, C. (2023). Some good news for International Women's Day: Women are usually happier than men . Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/some-good-news-for-international-womens-day- women-are-usually-happier-than-men/ El País Cali. (2025). Men are happier than women in Colombia, according to a Planning study . https://www.elpais.com.co/colombia/hombres-son-mas-felices-que-las-mujeres-en-estudio-de-planeacion.html The Country. (2025, March 6). The paradox of women's well-being: Why they report higher happiness despite worse mental health . https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2025-03-06/the-paradox-of-womens-well-being- why-they-report-higher-happiness-despite-worse-mental-health.html Oxfam Intermón. (2023). Inequality in childcare continues: 37% women versus 56% men . HuffPost Spain . https://www.huffingtonpost.es/sociedad/la-desigualdad-cuidado-hijos-continuaocupa-37-mujeres-frente-56- hombres-oxfam.html | ||||
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