Research Lenses
Six domains of human flourishing.
The Global Flourishing Study measures flourishing across six core domains, valued in cultures around the world. The first five are pursued for their own sake; financial security provides the foundation that makes flourishing possible.
- 01
Happiness and life satisfaction
Subjective well-being — how people evaluate the overall quality of their lives, and how they feel day to day.
Includes: Life satisfaction, positive affect, sense of overall happiness.
- 02
Physical and mental health
The state of body and mind — including chronic conditions, mental health symptoms, and self-rated health.
Includes: Self-rated physical health, depression, anxiety, chronic pain.
- 03
Meaning and purpose
The sense that one's life has direction, significance, and meaning beyond the day-to-day.
Includes: Sense of purpose, life's meaning, vocation, calling.
- 04
Character and virtue
Moral and ethical disposition — how people act, what they value, and the strength of their character.
Includes: Honesty, compassion, generosity, forgiveness, gratitude.
- 05
Close social relationships
The quality and depth of connections with family, friends, and community — including loneliness and social support.
Includes: Marriage, family, friendship, loneliness, social support.
- 06
Financial security
The material foundation that supports flourishing across the other domains — meeting basic needs and feeling stable.
Includes: Income adequacy, ability to meet basic needs, financial worry.
How we measure it
Secure Flourishing Index (SFI) — a composite measure of all six domains, including financial security.
Flourishing Index (FI) — the first five domains alone, when financial security is held separate.
Contextual factors — alongside the six domains, the study tracks the conditions that shape flourishing: religion, family environment, employment, health behaviors, civic engagement, and more.