UK teens among gloomiest in world

BRITISH youngsters’ levels of wellbeing are among the lowest in the world, a report found.

It suggested the nation’s teenagers and young adults are less likely to feel optimistic, loved, confident and content than peers in many other countries, including Indonesia, India, Germany, France and South Korea.

The study of 20 countries also indicated that many young people in the UK do not feel they get enough rest or exercise, compared with many of their international counterparts.

When it came to fears and worries for the future, the greatest concerns for the young in Britain were extremism and global terrorism.

The report – published by the Varkey Foundation, an education charity – was based on a poll of more than 20,000 people from the participating countries, born between 1995 and 2001. It placed the UK 19th out of 20 for mental well-being, with a score of 47.3. Only Japan scored lower, with Indonesia topping the table, followed by India, Nigeria, Israel and China.

The score was based on young people’s views on 14 areas.

Just 15 per cent of the British youngsters said they had good physical well-being, meaning that they get enough sleep, regular exercise and time for rest and reflection. This is the same proportion as a number of other countries including Australia.

Nigeria scored the highest for this measure at 41 per cent, followed by India at 24 per cent.

The report revealed 67 per cent of young people in the UK believe the country is a good place to live, higher than nations including France, Israel and the United States.