Abstract This study shows the relationship between lifelong learning and the happiness of lifelong learning programme participants using the HILL (Happiness index of lifelong learning) developed in S. Korea in 2014. The result shows that people with more experience in lifelong learning showed a higher HILL score than those with less experience. We can also see that people who have participated in a lifelong learning programme for a long time scored higher on the HILL than those with a short participation period. This implies lifelong learning can influence happiness.