As a nation, Australia has seen a decline in population happiness on the world scale, according to new data.
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Australia now places 11th on the world happiness table, drop a ranking from the previous year, with Finland leading the way as the world's happiest country.
When discovering this information it got Dr George Razay thinking; why?
Finland has been the happiest country for the past four years according to United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
The World Happiness Report collects data from the interviews of more than 350,000 people across 95 countries conducted by polling company Gallup.
The rankings are based on how each participant rated their happiness on a scale of one to 10 and asks for reasons why they chose that score.
"I got interested in this topic about a year ago," Dr Razay said.
"I was giving a talk on happiness and when I looked at the report of the happiest countries of the world, Australia was number 11.
"Then I thought about why and I looked at the reasons."
Dr Razay is a world-leading researcher in the field of dementia and Alzheimer's disease and was a nominee for 2021 Tasmanian Australian of the Year.
His work has seen him establish the world-renowned Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus process for diagnosing and treating a form of dementia.
Curious as to what contributes to Australia's decrease in happiness, he began to research and compile reasons why the nation has become unhappy.
Dr Razay said some reasons behind the decline include financial and marital stress, obesity, mental health problems and the increase of dementia and Alzheimer's.
"We aren't as happy as we used to be, mainly the age group of 15-25 is struggling the most with baby boomers being the least stressed aged group in the country", he said.
"Two out of three adults or 67 per cent in Australia are overweight, in the 80s only 40 per cent were overweight.
"The amount of obese people has grown as in the 80s it was only 10 per cent, now one in three are considered obese in Australia".
Australia's lifestyle has changed a lot since the 80s and 90s according to Dr Razay, with the increase in the cost of living a major factor to stress.
"Life is getting more expensive and this is something we stress about, especially young people who are seeing the growing housing prices," he said.
"This can cause stress about the future. Young people start their working life in debt, with many already having university tuition they need to pay back."
He noted that risk factors such as being obese can mean you are more likely to get Alzheimer's and fears they may be an epidemic of this disease due to the high levels of overweight Australians.
"USA, New Zealand and Australia are the least likely to bike or walk to school, unlike Finland and Denmark where people use bikes more than cars," he said.
Dr Razay said the amount of time people spend online is increasing and sleep satisfaction and amount of hours is getting less and less.
"We know what is affecting the younger generations how, but it makes you wonder how will this affect the next generation, what will life look like for them and how will their happiness rate?" he said.
Dr Razay said his stats may show an even worse outlook, due to COVID lockdowns.
"People are really suffering due to COVID. This leads to stress and makes us even more unhappy and mentally stressed," he said.
With his new talk, The Health of our Nation, he is hoping to address these factors that cause us to be unhappy and show how people can change them, as well as the areas people should focus on to improve our global score.
"I am a man with hope so this is my technique, to show people the factors and say we can turn this around," he said.
"It is not to blame people but encourage people to make better decisions on their health, it's about a change in our culture for the best future possible."
Dr Razay's free public talk will be held at the Sir Raymond Ferrall Lecture Theatre, University of Tasmania, Newnham, on September 10 at 7pm.
"We know what is affecting the younger generations how, but it makes you wonder how will this affect the
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Nikita McGuire
Born and raised in Launceston, Nikita is passionate about the stories that matter to locals. When she is not at work you can find Nikita adventuring around Tasmania or spending time with family and friends. If you have story tips or events in the Arts and Events sector, please contact Nikita at nikita.mcguire@austcommunitymedia.com.au or on 0437 031 581
Born and raised in Launceston, Nikita is passionate about the stories that matter to locals. When she is not at work you can find Nikita adventuring around Tasmania or spending time with family and friends. If you have story tips or events in the Arts and Events sector, please contact Nikita at nikita.mcguire@austcommunitymedia.com.au or on 0437 031 581
