Only a third of Americans say they are very happy. A Harris Interactive poll finds those fifty and older are more likely to be very happy than their younger counterparts.

Minorities show particularly pronounced declines in happiness in the two years since the happiness index was last measured, with especially low happiness levels showing up among the Hispanic American population. Whites and Blacks are happier than Hispanic Americans.   Women say they are happier than men but not by much.

While a smaller percentage of Americans agree that their work is frustrating than two years ago (34%, vs. 39% in 2011), this may be a reflection less of higher worker satisfaction and more of a tough job market, with Americans realizing that in this economy, having a job is a good thing.