MIDDLE-AGED and elderly residents in the northern region of La Rioja are the happiest in Spain, according to research – 83% say they are enjoying life far more than when they were much younger, and 70% say they are ‘having a second childhood’.
Those born in or before 1961 place the least importance on money of all generations across Spain as a whole, particularly in La Rioja where only 30% say wealth or lack of is linked to their happiness.
The average Spaniard aged 55 or over gives their life a mark of seven out of 10, if 10 is the happiest and one is the worst possible.
Results of the research show a vast gulf between those approaching retirement, or already retired, and much younger adults, as well as differences between regions, but in all sections of the survey, La Rioja comes out on top.
Here, 80% say they are in very good physical shape and that, mentally, they are even healthier than when they were younger – and in addition to their health, they say part of the key to their happiness is their increased experience of life.
Seven in 10 say problems, especially ‘the little things’, bother them a lot less now than when they were very young, whilst eight in 10 say they have a more philosophical outlook on life and six in 10 feel more free and with fewer family responsibilities – at least in the case of ‘empty nesters’ who are not acting as carers for dependant parents or other elderly relatives.
In fact, two-thirds say now is the time of their lives where they can finally spend more time doing the things they really want to do and most enjoy.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com