JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Happiness is a goal sought by most, but a recent report shows that many Mississippians struggle to obtain it.

Happiness often comes from a combination of internal and external factors. However, Americans’s satisfaction with their lives has declined in recent years. The level of happiness for most Mississippians is even lower. WalletHub recently ranked the Hospitality State’s happiness score as the ninth lowest nationally.

Based on external factors, WalletHub data indicates that Mississippi is not a cheerful environment for many. WalletHub ranks the state 49th for safety. It also ranks 40th and 35th respectively for its work environment rank and its community and environment rank.

A 2023 WalletHub report ranked Jackson 167th and Gulfport 86th among 182 major cities for safety. Among Southern cities, the Capital City ranked eighth overall as least safe. Another WalletHub report ranked Mississippi as the seventh hardest state to work remotely in and the fourth least environmentally friendly state.

Research correlates happiness with fewer health problems, lower depression rates and longer life. These internal factors which may help boost overall happiness are not trending positively for many residents.

Mississippians also have among the highest mortality rates nationally for heart disease, cancer, diabetes and more illnesses. Mississippians have the second highest anxiety and depression symptom rate in the US. The state’s residents also have the lowest life expectancy nationally based on the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Still, WalletHub’s research shows that Mississippi is not even the saddest state in the Southeast. All four states that border it have lower happiness scores than the Hospitality State. Of the 10 unhappiest states, eight are in the South.

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