Edith Hejberg
A massive Gallup survey across 142 countries shows more people than ever are satisfied with their lives and optimistic about the future.
The 17-year-old study reveals steady progress, with this year’s results marking the highest levels of life satisfaction recorded so far.
More People “Thriving” Than Ever
Gallup’s “thriving” category, those rating their current life at 7 or higher and their expected life in five years at 8 or higher, has reached 33%. A decade ago, only 23% qualified.
Meanwhile, just 7% fall into the “suffering” category, the lowest figure ever apart from 2020.
How the Survey Works
Participants score their present life and future expectations on a scale from 0 (worst possible) to 10 (best possible).
Gallup then tracks “thriving,” “struggling,” and “suffering” populations, using both median country data and global averages. While averages are slightly less positive, both measures show the same encouraging trend.
Why the Numbers Are Rising
According to Aarhus University economics professor Christian Bjørnskov, global wealth has increased over the past 20 years, particularly in regions that were once poorer.
Many countries have also seen improvements in personal freedoms, contributing to rising happiness.
Gains in the East, Declines in the West
Southeast Asia, Eastern and Southern Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean have seen sharp rises in life satisfaction. Kosovo, Vietnam, and Serbia top the list for long-term improvement. In contrast,
North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have seen declines, partly due to pandemic lockdown effects, especially among young people.
Northern Europe Leads the World
Northern Europe stands out with 66% of people “thriving,” far ahead of other regions. This stability is linked to strong rule of law, cultural traditions of trust, and social cohesion.
In Scandinavia, social trust levels are more than double those of countries like Italy and Spain.
Positive Trends Despite Global Turmoil
Even with ongoing wars, climate concerns, and political instability, life satisfaction has improved worldwide.
Bjørnskov believes people often focus on nearby crises while overlooking progress in places like Africa and Latin America, where living conditions and peace have advanced.
A More Hopeful World
The data suggests that, while headlines often dwell on conflict, the bigger picture is one of growing optimism and improved well-being.
Across much of the globe, more people are not only living better lives now but also expecting an even brighter future.
