25 Appendices Introduction Wellbeing Thematic analysis Applicant Index Report 2026 ONS wellbeing indicators The Office for National Statistics (ONS) standard wellbeing measures use a 0–10 scale to assess life satisfaction, sense that life is worthwhile, happiness and anxiety across the population. Results are reported as the proportion giving the highest scores (9 or 10) on the first three questions and the lowest scores (0 or 1) on anxiety. Figure 19: ONS wellbeing indicator scores 2022-26 (all applicants) Life satisfaction Life worthwhile Happiness Low anxiety 10 10 15 19 16 15 16 21 23 21 17 17 21 25 21 14 16 22 22 20 25 20 15 10 5 0 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Wellbeing has fallen across each ONS indicator. As in last year’s report, this is driven mainly by a change in international applicants’ wellbeing. For UK applicants, the indicators have been more consistent over the past five years. Although international applicant wellbeing has fallen slightly this year, it remains higher than that of UK applicants. This higher baseline may reflect self ‑ selection, with those who feel able to study abroad more likely to report higher wellbeing. Figure 20: ONS wellbeing indicator scores 2022-26 (UK domiciled applicants) Life satisfaction 25 20 15 10 5 0 Life worthwhile Happiness Low anxiety 14 10 11 11 10 15 16 16 16 16 18 16 17 16 16 22 16 18 16 17 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Base=1830 (UK domiciled applicants) Belonging, equity and inclusion Back to contents