Being a 30-something is ideal, but we're wisest in our 50s

March 01, 2016, 3:00 PM GMT+0

34 is the ideal age according to the average American

Many people might idealize childhood, but in reality Americans tend to favor the mix of youth and stability of being a 30-something.

YouGov's latest research shows that when Americans are asked what the ideal age to be is, the average response is 34 years old. The older you are, however, the more likely you are to say that it is also better to be older. Overall, under-30s say that the ideal age to be is 25, but over-65s say that the ideal age is 41. Only under-30s and people aged 30 to 44 (31 years old) are in the same age bracket as their ideal age.

Unsurprisingly, responses diverge when people are asked to say what they think the ideal age for physical health and wisdom are. The top physical age is put at 30, while 51 is seen as the peak of wisdom. Even under-30s say that people are at their wisest when they are 45.

Despite the ideal age being firmly within the realm of adulthood, half of Americans (50%) say that they would go back and live as a child for a week if they had the opportunity. Under-30s (70%) are significantly more likely than over-65s (33%) to say that they would return to childhood temporarily.

Full poll results can be found here and topline results and margin of error here.