Studies show that around 2 years of age, children start to show genuine empathy, understanding how other people feel even when they don't feel the same way themselves. And not only do they feel another person's pain, but they actually try to soothe it.

At what age do babies develop empathy?

One study showed that from around 14 months, babies begin to show the different factors of what makes up empathy: Empathic concern – wanting to help another person in distress.

What age group is most empathetic?

Our results showed that empathy increased with age, particularly after age 40. Furthermore, people who were born later tended to be more empathic than those who were born earlier.