This is what people over 50 consider to be the happiest time of their life

While it may seem like society often presents our best years as being those in our teens and 20s, a study has revealed that it's actually a later decade that can feel most fulfilling.

The study, published in the journal Social Indicators Research, found that it's our 30s that older people tend to look back on as their happiest period.

More specifically, it's the years between 30 and 34, which participants reported as bringing them most joy.

The scientists asked those aged over 50 from more than 13 European countries to look back at their past.

Read more: Study reveals surprising place in the UK where it's loneliest to work

They found that happiness levels gradually increased from childhood up until our early 30s when they peaked.

After that, such feelings tended to decrease – something that they discovered happens "more sharply" for women than for men.

It is thought that high happiness levels in our early 30s were because of big life events that often happen at this age – like getting married and having children.

Begona Alvarez, the study author, wrote: "Periods of cohabitation with a partner and periods with children are significantly associated with a higher probability of living the happiest period in life than periods of no cohabitation and periods with no children, respectively."

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So, even though such a time may come with its own stresses and changes, it's a stage people look back on fondly.

Interestingly, the study also revealed that the two periods when we're likely to feel unhappiest is from the ages of 10 to 14, or over 70 years old.

It comes after a recent study shared the surprising place in the UK where it's loneliest to work.

The findings showed that almost half – or 47% – of those with jobs in London said they didn't have workplace friendships.

This was two times the rate in Scotland and in other parts of the country.

Watch: These are the top five happiest places in the UK