No idea whether historical data exists, it would be nice to compare. This study is from 2018 though, so before covid19. It is worth to check other charts too (if you scroll down there is a link to the topline record)

oliverweiss

When you are young the world is your oyster 

As you age you become more realistic or jaded or cynical 

Bell_curve

charts_and_numbers

Are you optimistic about the future of the world?

awesome charts, and interesting to see the divergence between young and old.

i wonder if it’s always been that way or if this trend is more pronounced today than it usually is…

fwiw, i’m optimistic about the future of the world.