Having an easy life has more to do with social class than Etype. But pessimistic people (4, 6, 8) will be the most likely to be excluded from the upper class, because the upper class doesn't like pessimism. It's a cultural consequence.
Maybe Eights have the hardest life. Most Eights I know or have known tend to be socially isolated. Most people don't like pushy people. I do like pushy people because they're not likely to be liars or cowards.
I'm an eight. I am far from pessimistic. I am also not pushy. Trusted and competent leaders do not need to be.
Life has been quite difficult-nothing I can't handle-but it's all been due to situations I had
no control over.
( Sounds like an eight redflag to me)
This is why I believe that this question is pointless; I was not an 8 before I was born. I grew into an eight, probably from having to deal with many hardships on my own and a growing distrust of other people along the way. I think in general that life experience creates the Enneagram, not the other way around.
I tested as 6 a few times, but its definately not me. I am a 5w6, and I not only can acheive stability, but I make progress in my life at a leizurely pace.
I can see why people would say its the hardest type to be though. But I really don't think we should be making it a pissing contest.
I can only see asking this question if we are talking purely about perspective. I think if you asked " Which type MAKES life harder for themselves" we could actually discuss it
ex
Does a one's obsession with perfectionism mean that they have a hard time getting things done at all?
Is a 4's focus on how they are seen by other people keep them from truly being themselves?
Maybe a 6 demand for comfort means that they fall apart at the slightest inconvenience.
Even still, I personally don't want to hear people whine about problems caused by their own petty complexes. Human beings are capable of growth after all.