Global Emotional Intelligence Scores Decline Across All Measured Competencies Between 2019 and 2024
A recent global analysis of 28,000 emotional intelligence assessments from adults in 166 countries reveals a decline in average scores across all eight measured competencies between 2019 and 2024. This study, conducted by researchers using the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Assessment, indicates an 'emotional recession' where individuals reported fewer emotional resources in 2024 compared to 2019. The competencies showing a decline include emotional literacy, recognizing patterns, consequential thinking, navigating emotions, intrinsic motivation, optimism, empathy, and pursuing noble goals. While the study did not isolate specific causes, the period covers the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, suggesting prolonged uncertainty and disrupted relationships may have played a role. The assessment defined empathy as recognizing and appropriately responding to other people’s emotions, and its decline was tied for the smallest raw change among the competencies. 
