The Surprising Global Map of a Flourishing Life

What does it truly mean to live a good life? To find out, researchers launched one of the most ambitious studies on human well-being ever conducted. The Global Flourishing Study surveyed over 200,000 people across 22 diverse countries, asking them not just about happiness, but about their health, purpose, relationships, character, and financial stability.

“The famous U-shape of well-being has vanished, with young adults now struggling more than any other age group.”

This created a rich, multidimensional picture of what it means to 'flourish.' The initial findings are both reassuring and concerning. The study confirmed that our childhoods cast a long shadow: having a good relationship with our parents, feeling financially secure, and avoiding abuse as a child are all strongly linked to a better life as an adult. Strong social ties, like being married, and participating in a religious community were also powerful predictors of flourishing almost everywhere.

However, the study uncovered some surprising and troubling trends. Globally, well-being no longer follows the famous 'U-shape' where middle-age is the low point. Instead, flourishing now tends to be lowest among young adults and increases with age. This suggests that being young today is harder than it used to be. The study also revealed that countries don't flourish in the same way.

While wealthier nations may have more financial security, they often report lower levels of meaning and purpose than people in some middle-income countries. A good life, it seems, is about more than just a good economy.