Korean children are among the least happy in the world, with overall low self-esteem and low satisfaction in their lives, a study conducted on children from different parts of the world showed.

According to the study conducted by Seoul National University and non-profit organization Save the Children, the subjective happiness that Korean children aged 12 felt recorded 7.4 out of 10 points, 0.8 point lower than the overall average. The happiness level of those aged 8 and 10 both recorded 8.2, about 0.6 point lower than the average.

The survey was conducted on some 43,000 kids aged 8,10 and 12 in a dozen countries including Romania, Ethiopia and Turkey. The respondents were asked how happy they have been in the last two weeks, researchers said.

Kids aged 8 from Romania and Colombia showed the highest figure with 9.6, followed by Norway with 8.8.

A separate survey done as part of the study also showed that Korean children’s satisfaction level in their family, interpersonal relationships, school life and community were all below average. They especially recorded the lowest contentment in their appearance, body shape and school grades, the study said. “Korean kids seem to be daunted by the social vibe forcing them to compare themselves with others in order to meet a certain level of common standard that parents and society have set,” the researchers said.