According to the latest Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Monitor, two in three Indians (65%) reported being happy in August 2024. However, the survey indicates a consecutive decline in happiness levels over the past two months, with a -5% drop in both July and August.

Regional and Demographic Breakdown
The survey reveals that certain regions and demographics in India reported higher happiness levels:

West Zone: 88% happy

Tier 1 Cities: 85%

Metropolitan Areas: 74%

North Zone: 73%

Happiness was also higher among individuals with high education (68%), employed individuals (68%), females (67%), and those aged 18-30 (67%).

On the other hand, the least happy groups included:

Tier 3 Cities: 43% happy

East Zone: 44%

South Zone: 46%

Expert Insights
Parijat Chakraborty, Group Service Line Leader at Ipsos India, explained the drop in happiness:
“Though there is a notable dip in happiness levels, the majority of Indians remain happy. Natural calamities and societal issues, such as the tragedy in Kolkata and unrest in Manipur, have impacted certain regions, particularly the East zone, where happiness levels have fallen by 21%.”

The west zone, tier 1 cities, and metropolitan areas, however, saw an increase in happiness.

Key Contributors to Happiness
The survey highlights family (73%) as the biggest contributor to happiness, followed by health (65%), friends (65%), and work (64%).

Other key factors that influence happiness include:

Economic conditions (53%)

National situation (53%)

Global situation (49%)

All three saw a decline in happiness levels: economic conditions (-6%), national situation (-4%), and global situation (-4%).

Deeper Analysis
Chakraborty adds that happiness is impacted by personal relationships, work-life balance, financial stability, and even the broader socio-economic environment.

“Financial stability plays a major role in personal happiness. It’s often said that money can’t buy happiness, but it can ease burdens—allowing for discretionary spending and activities like shopping or eating out, which elevate mood.”

Methodology
The Ipsos IndiaBus Happiness Monitor is a monthly, pan-India omnibus survey that gathers data from 2200+ respondents across India. The respondents are from SEC A, B, and C households, covering adults of both genders from all four zones of the country. The data is collected both in-person and online, providing a comprehensive view of the happiness levels across urban India.

While happiness levels have dipped in recent months due to several regional challenges, the majority of Indians remain optimistic, driven by their personal connections, financial well-being, and the socio-economic environment they live in.