The Transformation of Life Satisfaction Across Age in Western Europe: Implications for Organizational Practice and Policy

This article examines the fundamental shift in the relationship between age and life satisfaction across 21 Western European countries, drawing on over five decades of data. Where life satisfaction once followed a U-shaped pattern—lowest in midlife—this relationship has now disappeared. In 13 Northern European countries, life satisfaction now rises with age, while in six Southern European countries, it declines with age, driven partly by improving youth labor markets since 2015. These findings have significant implications for organizational talent management, employee wellbeing strategies, and public policy approaches to mental health across the lifespan. Organizations must recalibrate their wellbeing interventions to address distinct generational needs, with particular attention to young workers in Northern Europe and midlife workers in Southern Europe. This article synthesizes the empirical evidence and provides actionable guidance for practitioners navigating this new wellbeing landscape.