The National Self-Worth Index fell yesterday despite no measurable deterioration in the affected citizen's circumstances.
The decline followed an announcement that his former university classmate had been appointed managing director of an international company.
The citizen was at home eating plantain when the news arrived.
He immediately lost his appetite.
Market analysts initially suspected a change in his income or employment prospects.
Further examination found neither.
The Ministry of Validation has described the incident as a classic case of comparative depreciation.
Its proposed recovery measures include an impressive social media announcement and a carefully timed photograph suggesting professional success.
A junior analyst asked whether the citizen could simply finish his plantain.
The question was omitted from the final report.
Market close: The citizen's circumstances remain stable. His opinion of them has deteriorated.