Two independent researches conducted at different times by Kantar TGI and Gallup-Healthways prove that the level of well-being amongst U.K. residents has declined  from 2009. 

Gallup’s data gained as part of the Global Well-Being Index study in 2013-2014, showed that just 25% of Britons were thriving in purpose well-being, and 51% considered they were struggling in this criterion. By «purpose well-being» Gallup means liking what a person does each day and being motivated to achieve his/her goals. This index was the lowest among single British people and men.

Interestingly, the U.K. closes the top 11 list of countries with the highest purpose-wellbeing in Europe, where Denmark ranks as No 1 (45% feel «thriving»).

At the same time, 46% of the respondents reported that in 2013 they felt quite happy with the financial state of things, so their general level of well-being was not influenced by economic reasons.

More or less the same trend was proved by the Kantar TGI’s study: 57% of U.K. respondents agreed that they were «happy with their life» in 2014 against 63% in 2009.

Even fewer Britons were happy with their physical well-being—health and beauty self-perception. Just 36% agreed that their diet was healthy and 54% that they looked after their appearance in 2014—against 41% and 62% in 2009, respectively.

Both studies revealed a strong correlation between healthy food and happiness (physical well-being), as well as with the ability and opportunity to achieve personal goals (purpose well-being), however, the level of income and financial well-being was found to have less influence on the general level happiness in Britain.

More figures, trends and implications can be found here and here.