Recent data visualized by Financial Times chief data reporter John Burn-Murdoch reveals a significant shift in personality traits across various age groups, most notably a sharp decline in conscientiousness and a rise in neuroticism among young people aged 16 to 39 since 2014. The trends, highlighted by journalist Derek Thompson, indicate a broader societal change potentially linked to the pervasive influence of smartphones and digital lifestyles. Thompson remarked on social media, > "Like everything @jburnmurdoch makes, this chart is amazing. The sharp decline in conscientiousness and rise in neuroticism among young people is astonishing. But also of note: literally every age group has gotten less extroverted in the age of the smartphone."
The analysis, based on data from the Understanding America Survey, pinpoints a sustained erosion of conscientiousness in young Americans between 2014 and 2024. Individuals in their late teens, twenties, and thirties are reportedly feeling increasingly distracted, careless, less tenacious, and less likely to fulfill commitments. Alongside this, neuroticism, characterized by emotional instability and a tendency towards negative emotions like anxiety, has seen a corresponding increase across these younger demographics.
Conscientiousness and neuroticism are considered two of the most significant predictors of overall life success, often outweighing factors like socioeconomic background or cognitive abilities. A decline in conscientiousness is associated with lower career satisfaction, higher divorce rates, and reduced life expectancy. Conversely, a rise in neuroticism can heighten risk perception and make individuals more prone to overlooking potential opportunities, impacting emotional well-being and stability.
Beyond the youth demographic, Burn-Murdoch's chart also illustrates a universal trend of decreasing extroversion across all age groups. This widespread shift towards less outgoing and socially interactive behaviors is consistently observed alongside the growing prevalence of smartphones and hyper-connected digital environments. Experts suggest that these digital habits contribute to increased distraction and a reduced focus on sustained effort, impacting fundamental aspects of human personality and interaction.