Social Connections Are a Key to Happiness

Happiness as We Age, and What Gets Us There

Social interaction is a key to happiness among older adults, although they find many other sources of happiness as well.

That’s according to a recent AARP survey, which also unearthed a complexity of perceptions concerning aging. The survey found that while many people tend to feel happier as they age, many don’t believe happiness increases in others.

The Happiness Trajectory

The national survey found that 44% of respondents ages 50-plus say they’ve become happier over time, while 36% are neutral regarding that question, and only 9% say they have not grown happier. Reflecting some degree of disconnect, just 22% agree most people are happier as they age, 57% are neutral, and 20% disagree.

Women are more likely to say they are happier as they age (53%) compared to men (47%). This could be linked to older women reporting they socialize and are more likely than men to turn to others for encouragement and support, the report notes.

Sources of Happiness

Other data from the survey tracks with that analysis: 74% of all adults surveyed cited in-person socializing as being the key to their happiness, and 49% said virtual socializing was a factor. While 55% of women seek out loved ones for in-person support and 60% do online, only 46% of men look for live connection in tough times and 40% online.

Despite the clear advantage to staying in touch with others, 22% of people ages 50-plus say they are socializing less than once a week.

Older adults connect other life choices and activities to their happiness as well. Hobbies help with happiness, according to 50% of respondents—and, again, more so with women (53%) than men (48%). Other happiness contributors include getting enough sleep (50%), traveling (48%), listening to music (46%), being present (46%), eating healthy (45%), reading (44%), and exercising (40%).

The findings were based on an online survey of 1,010 adults age 50+ conducted in June 2024.

For more information, please contact Laura Skufca at lskufca@aarp.org. For media inquiries, please contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.