Study reveals the things that make us happiest

New research by HR, payroll and benefits software provider Ciphr has revealed who and what makes us smile and brings the most joy into our lives – at home and at work. 

A survey of 2,000 employed adults in the UK found that people typically feel happy 18 days a month. And the older they get, the happier they are, it seems – or perhaps their perception of happiness simply changes. 

One in six (18%) people over 55 said they feel happy every day, compared to one in eight (12%) 45-54 year olds, and one in 11 (9%) people under 45.

Men are more likely to report being happy more often than women, with the gender happiness gap widest among gen Z and millennials. Men between 18-44 years old are twice as likely as women of the same age to say they are happy every day (13% vs 6%). This is perhaps not all that surprising, given that most women have to contend with gender pay gaps where they work, many have faced gender bias, they often carry the burden of unpaid work at home, and feel stressed more frequently than men.   

Yet, despite this apparent happiness gap, women generally appear to have more sources of happiness to draw from than men (female survey respondents chose 14 people or things, on average, that make them feel happy, compared to male survey respondents who averaged 12). The survey also shows that different things make women and men happy. 

Everyone has their own list of people and things (the whos and whats) that make them happiest – their relationships, how and where they like to spend their time, and the experiences and activities they love best. Those ‘things’ that give us everyday moments of joy. 

For nearly two-thirds that’s their closest relationships, with 63% of those surveyed saying that their partner or spouse makes them feel happy, and 62% saying their family does. 

Friends and friendships are also key to happiness for 60% of women and just over half (52%) of men (the survey average was 56%).

Ciphr’s research also highlights the importance that employees place on rest, relaxation and their work-life balance. Over half (55%) of employed UK adults ranked relaxing as their favourite happiness ‘activity’. 

Top drivers of wellbeing and happiness also include having money and financial security (54%), having ‘me time’ (54%), getting enough sleep (53%), enjoying a holiday (53%), and eating well (53%).   

Other significant relationships that spark feelings of happiness are children (52%) and pets (42%).

While Ciphr’s findings suggest that many people are happiest when they’re not at work, the reality is more complex. Most (88%) can name at least one aspect of their job that makes them feel happy. The average across all employees is five things. 

The top five factors that boost employee happiness are work colleagues (selected by 36% of employed UK adults), seeing the results of their work (36%), being recognised for their work (34%), doing purposeful and meaningful work (34%), and enjoying the work they do (33%).

For a more detailed look at what makes employees feel happy at work, visit https://www.ciphr.com/infographics/what-makes-people-feel-happy?#at-work.  

Karen Lough, director of people at Ciphr, says: “Despite our many differences, people do share many things in common when it comes to who and what makes us happy. Generally, people are happiest when they feel connected – whether that’s spending time with their loved ones at home or working alongside people they get on with. When they feel financially secure. And when they feel relaxed and well rested.

“Happiness is important for our health and wellbeing. It can help counter stress and burnout, and help you feel more energised and engaged. 

“So, when employees aren’t happy at work, it shows up in their performance. Their energy fades, as does their job satisfaction, and they are less likely to go that ‘extra mile’ to get the job done. From an HR perspective you can spot it in engagement scores, retention risk, and turnover. 

“Employers can’t control everything that might negatively affect people’s happiness at work. But there’s lots they can do. Happiness is built by doing the basics well: making sure that employees are treated fairly, are doing meaningful work, that they have clear expectations, the right tools, opportunities for career growth, managers who can support them, and, most importantly, have leaders who are transparent, authentic, and who listen and keep their word. 

“The importance of recognition – recognising effort, not just outcomes – also shouldn’t be underestimated. Because, as this survey shows, people really do feel happier knowing that their employer appreciates and values their work.”
 
Ciphr’s study into what makes people feel happy is available at https://www.ciphr.com/infographics/what-makes-people-feel-happy. The research includes the results from a survey of 2,000 employed UK adults, commissioned by Ciphr and conducted by OnePoll, in February 2026.

Ciphr is the go-to HR and payroll software partner for UK organisations with 200 to 2,000 employees. Its integrated HR, payroll, benefits, learning and recruitment software, services and content provide invaluable insights to HR teams to help inform their people strategy and grow and develop their organisations. Ciphr is on a mission to amplify the voice and value of HR through intelligent people data solutions that help HR be heard – in the boardroom and across the business. 

For more information, please visit www.ciphr.com. 

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Media enquiries:

Emma-Louise Jones, digital PR manager at Ciphr
e:  ejones@ciphr.com  

Chris Boddice, chief marketing officer at Ciphr
e: cboddice@ciphr.com
Website: www.ciphr.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ciphr 

Notes:

An infographic showing the top 10 things that make people feel happy is available at (please credit and link to ciphr.com): https://www.ciphr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/research-pr/Top-10-things-that-make-people-feel-happy.png 

According to a recent UN report, women carry out more unpaid care and domestic work than men: https://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/faqs/faqs-what-is-unpaid-care-work-and-how-does-it-power-the-economy  

Ciphr commissioned a survey (via OnePoll) of 2,000 UK employees in February 2026. Questions included:

• On average, how many days of the month do you typically feel happy? (People who answered '0 - I don't feel happy on any days', which was 3.1% of respondents, were not shown subsequent questions)

• Who, if anyone, makes you feel happy?

• Which, if any, of the following makes you feel happy?

• What, if anything, makes you feel happy at work?

 

About Ciphr

Ciphr is the go-to HR and payroll software partner for UK organisations with 200 to 2,000 employees. Its integrated HR, payroll, benefits, learning and recruitment software, services and content provide invaluable insights to HR teams to help inform their people strategy and grow and develop their organisations. Ciphr is on a mission to amplify the voice and value of HR through intelligent people data solutions that help HR be heard – in the boardroom and across the business. 

The Ciphr Group is a privately held company backed by ECI Partners and headquartered in Reading. Over 230 employees work across the group, which includes Ciphr and Avantus (FlexGenius), as well as its previous acquisition Marshall E-Learning (now known as Ciphr eLearning). 

Ciphr spokespeople are available to provide expert media comment on a broad range of topics, including HR strategy, people management, employee experience and wellbeing, AI in HR, payroll, benefits and rewards, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), learning and development, the future of work, tech trends, business and leadership, marketing, and more.