The degree of happiness felt by South Koreans was found to have lessened last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the state-run Korea Institute of Public Administration on Tuesday, a survey of eight-thousand-336 adults in September and October last year found that happiness was rated at six-point-four on a zero to ten scale, down from six-point-five in 2019.

The average economic stability was rated at four-point-eight, down by point-two, and projected stability was rated at five-point-four, down point-one.

The pandemic had a greater impact on happiness among vulnerable groups, including women, seniors and low-income households.

Women rated their happiness at six-point-four, which is down from six-point-seven, compared to men whose rate did not change at six-point-four.

Happiness among households with a monthly income of less than three million won fell from six-point-two to six, while that among households with an income of more than five million won stayed the same at six-point-six.