A 2025 study by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, published in the journal 'Nature Human Behaviour', analyzed global life satisfaction data from the Gallup World Poll. It found a notable decline in adolescent life satisfaction across many Western countries since 2018, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite this global context and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Israeli adolescents have consistently reported relatively high levels of life satisfaction and positive affect in recent surveys. Researchers note this resilience is complex and may be linked to strong community and family support structures, as well as a sense of shared national purpose, though these factors exist within a reality of significant security challenges and trauma.
The study's lead author, Professor Andrew Przybylski, emphasized that the data shows a clear international crisis in youth wellbeing, making Israel's figures an outlier. Experts caution that high aggregate scores do not reflect the severe distress experienced by individuals directly affected by violence or loss, particularly in conflict zones like Gaza and northern Israel.
The research underscores the need for targeted mental health support for youth everywhere, especially in areas of protracted conflict, where long-term psychological impacts remain a major concern.
