Middle-aged feel more depressed

Experts have found that happiness and depression follows a U-shape over a person's lifetime, with the happiest times being at the start and end of life. During the middle years, people are more likely to feel depressed, with the peak age for depression in the UK being about 44.

Researchers from the University of Warwick and Dartmouth College in New Hampshire in the United States analysed data from two million people from more than 70 nations. They found an extraordinarily consistent pattern across the countries in terms of depression and happiness levels.

Many previous studies of the life-course have suggested that psychological well-being stays relatively flat and consistent as we age.