Youngest siblings think they are the funniest, study shows

Almost half of first-borns say they are more easy-going than their brothers and sisters

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Families' youngest siblings think they are funnier than their older counterparts, a study has suggested.

The YouGov survey explored the character traits of 1,783 British adults by looking at how they rated different aspects of their personality.

Results found that 46 per cent of people who were the youngest in their family considered themselves to be the funniest, compared to 36 per cent of oldest siblings.

Those behind the study say one of the reasons for this is that first-borns tend to feel a burden of responsibility that their younger brothers and sisters do not. As a result, 54 per cent of oldest siblings admitted to feeling more responsible compared to 31 per cent of last-borns.

Although 47 per cent of youngest siblings reported being more easy going, success appears to favour the oldest child, with 38 per cent saying that they are more prosperous than their younger siblings.

The researchers explain: “To some extent age itself, rather than family dynamics, may be responsible for the differing characteristics. Older children, having had more time to get on in life, are more likely to say they are more successful than their siblings.

“But undoubtedly there are family forces at work – parental attention soon shifts onto new arrivals, and first borns may have to learn the ropes themselves. As evidence, elder siblings are more likely to feel more organised and able to prioritise their own lives”.