Victor Meldrew: the grumpiest old man of them all. Photographer: Graeme Robertson

Recent Defra research has found that the most miserable group of people in England are middle-aged men (specifically those aged between 35 and 44), who rate their satisfaction rate at a meagre 6.8 out of 10, compared to a national average of 7.3. Over 3,600 people were asked to rank their feelings of wellbeing on a scale of one to ten for the survey, and it appears that middle-aged men are the grumpiest of the lot.

The National Bureau of Economic Research has concluded that happiness over the course of a life is U-shaped, with middle age languishing at the bottom of the curve. Never fear though, as there is one reason to be cheerful: the Defra survey reveals that the retirement years are the happiest of the average Brit's life. Once you get used to the middle-aged spread and get over the midlife crisis, things can only get better.

Does middle age really make you miserable, and why does it seemingly affect men more than women? Where would you rate your happiness on the scale right now, and how has it changed over the years? Don't bottle it up, let loose and let us know your thoughts (and feelings).