Growing older, feeling younger

Subjective age studies have consistently shown that self-perception of age or ‘felt age’ is a powerful predictor of a person’s well-being. The current study gathered data from the members of National Seniors Australia on their felt age, how old they feel as opposed to their chronological age, with 75 per cent indicating they feel younger than they are. By world standards, Australia is a ‘longevity’ society, ranked 8th in the world for life expectancy. It seems that we are growing older, yet feeling younger.

The 2017 National Seniors Social Survey (NSSS) (Wave 6) asked two consecutive questions about age: ‘What is your age?’ and ‘But what age do you feel you are?’. Some felt older (6 per cent), some the same (19 per cent), and the majority (75 percent) felt younger.