While GDP per capita has risen by 21.5% since 2010, the sense of well-being has only increased by 1%. (Photo: Shutterstock)

While GDP per capita has risen by 21.5% since 2010, the sense of well-being has only increased by 1%. (Photo: Shutterstock)

According to national statistics bureau Statec, the country's very good economic health is not translating into an improved well-being for its population. Loneliness, especially among young people, and growing dissatisfaction at work are among the main causes of this.

Which indicators are relevant for measuring the well-being of a population remains difficult to discern. The indicators of the “Luxembourg Index of Well-being” (LIW) relate to the areas of employment, education, health, as well as the evolution of GDP per capita and the difficulty of “making ends meet”.

All of these indicators rebounded in 2021 after a sharp fall in 2020 due to the outbreak of the pandemic. The most substantial rebounds are observed for the indicators that experienced the largest decreases in 2020: adult continuing education, unemployment rate and making ends meet. Only the adult continuing education indicator has not yet recovered to its pre-pandemic level. GDP per capita has rebounded strongly, driven by the 2021 recovery.

1% increase in the sense of well-being since 2010

According to a research titled "International Perspectives on Quality of Life in Luxembourg", which ranks countries by subjective well-being according to the capacity to enjoy the resources at its disposal, Luxembourg, although it benefits from comparative advantages such as health, income level, longevity and social capital, does not take full advantage of them and struggles to transform its wealth into well-being felt by its citizens. “However, Luxembourg is among the best performing countries in terms of subjective well-being, although it could do better,” states

Since 2010, GDP per capita has increased by 21.5% while the feeling of well-being has only increased by 1%.

Luxembourg's malaise

Although the residents surveyed by Statec consider themselves satisfied in their current life and declare that they feel happy at present, they seem to be worried about their future life.

In 2021, Statec noted an increase in the feeling of loneliness among young people, which, it says is becoming “an important problem”. This feeling affects 15.5% of 16-24 year olds, but only 5% of 50-64 year olds. At the same time, there is a decline in life satisfaction and happiness among 16-24 year olds.

Statec also asked resident employees about their level of job satisfaction. While the level of job dissatisfaction has decreased in recent years, not everyone feels this way. Employed residents of non-Luxembourg nationality, those doing shift work and those with 10 years or more of service with their employer are most likely to be dissatisfied.

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.