OSLO, Feb 1, 2026 – Girls report greater happiness and well-being at school than boys, according to a new survey of Norwegian primary school children.

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) questioned 1,620 pupils aged six to nine and found clear gender differences in how children experience school.

“Girls are happier than boys. This applies both in class and at school in general,” said Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson of NTNU’s Department of Psychology.

The study measured well-being and perceived safety through a new scale developed by the team. Results showed a strong correlation between feeling safe and enjoying school, particularly between safety in school and during recess.

Sigmundsson suggested biological factors may play a role. Girls, he noted, tend to experience more dopamine activity through social relationships, while boys, with higher testosterone levels, may struggle with long school days that require sitting still.

The survey also revealed differences in subject preferences. Girls scored higher in reading and science, both in enjoyment and perceived performance. Boys favored physical education and rated themselves higher in mathematics, though enjoyment of maths was similar across genders.

The researchers found that children often perform better in subjects they enjoy, with strong links between liking a subject and achieving good results across reading, maths, science and physical education.

Sigmundsson said more physical activity and passion-based classes could improve well-being for all students, citing earlier projects in Iceland that showed positive effects.