The happiest demographic group

几年前读到一篇The happiest demographic group的报告， 最近跟一位女友提起，忘了出处，就来问AI ：

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The claim that married men are the happiest demographic group, with single women as the second happiest, is a common one in popular discussions of happiness research, often traced back to interpretations of U.S. survey data from around 2001 (such as the General Social Survey). A specific 2001 U.S. study referenced in online forums and discussions reported the following happiness rankings based on self-reported life satisfaction:

1. Married men (most happy)  
2. Single women  
3. Married women  
4. Single men (least happy)  

This ranking has been cited in various online threads since at least 2011, though the exact study name is not always specified (likely drawing from aggregated GSS data or similar national surveys on well-being).

A recent article reiterating this trend is from the *Times of India* (July 2024), which draws from "various studies and research" on happiness by marital status and gender. Here's the full relevant content from the article:

> Delving deep into this concept, various studies and research have found an intriguing trend: Married men and single women tend to achieve higher levels of happiness compared to others.  
> 
> **Why married men report higher happiness levels**  
> Psychologically and scientifically, studies show that married men are generally healthier than single men. This can be contributed by several factors, such as better lifestyle choices encouraged by their partners, emotional support during stressful times, financial stability through shared resources, and the social status that comes with being married. Marriage often provides men with a sense of purpose and companionship, which significantly boosts their overall well-being.  
> 
> **Why single women report higher happiness levels**  
> On the other hand, single women often experience a different kind of fulfillment. These aspects contribute significantly to why studies show that single women tend to report higher levels of happiness compared to married women. The freedom to pursue personal interests, career advancement without the constraints of family responsibilities, and the ability to build strong social networks are key contributors. Single women also tend to have more time for self-care and personal growth, leading to greater life satisfaction.  
> 
> **The role of independence and autonomy**  
> A recent study and survey on single women's home ownership in the United States highlights the increasing autonomy and independence among single women, which is a significant factor in their happiness. “A 2023 Pew Research Center survey using 2022 census data found that single women owned 58 percent of the nearly 35.2 million homes owned by unmarried Americans, while single men owned 42 percent… A recent study from LendingTree showed a similar — though smaller — gap, finding that around 13 percent of single women own a home, compared to about 10 percent of single men,” reads a report by TheHill.com.  
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> This trend reflects the growing financial independence and autonomy of single working women, which has increased in recent decades.  

The article concludes that these patterns show diverse paths to happiness, with married men benefiting from partnership support and single women from independence. Note that happiness research often varies by factors like age, culture, and parenthood status, and individual experiences differ widely. If this isn't the exact report you had in mind, it may stem from broader GSS analyses or books like *The Case for Marriage* (2000) by Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher, which discuss similar gender differences in marital benefits.