The British figures chime with recent claims that the mid-life crisis is a thing of the past.

Improvements in healthcare, education and life expectancy mean ‘wobbles’ around the age of 40 are now less likely, psychologists claimed last month.

By that time, most will have married, bought a home and chosen a career. With those difficult decisions behind us, we are free to start enjoying life and learn from our mistakes.

Dr Carlo Strenger, of Israel’s Tel Aviv University, said: ‘If you make fruitful use of what you have discovered about yourself in the first half of your life, the second half can be the most fulfilling.

‘Most people can anticipate a second life, if not a second career.’