Additional evidence that wealth isn’t all-encompassing

A significant global investigation into human flourishing supports earlier alerts regarding the deficiency of well-being among youth, especially in the U.S., and underscores the saying that wealth isn’t everything, with mid-income — not affluent — nations leading a ranking of 22 countries.

“It raises significant inquiries regarding whether we are dedicating enough resources to our youth,” mentioned Tyler VanderWeele, the John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb Professor of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and one of the primary authors of the study. “Trends across the globe are intricate, but in numerous countries — particularly in the West — this trend is genuine.”

The findings originate from a vast collection of data amassed by The Global Flourishing Study, a major analysis into individual well-being within unique communities and environments. The survey involved approximately 203,000 individuals speaking 40 languages and covering a diverse range of nations, cultures, histories, and economic conditions. Initiated in 2021, the study was executed across all six populated continents and represents roughly 64 percent of the global population, as stated by organizers during a media briefing on Monday.

The study’s data permit examination both across and within nations. Participants were questioned about seven variables that cumulatively define “flourishing” — health, happiness, meaning, character, relationships, financial stability, and spiritual well-being.

It also collected demographic details such as age, gender, marital and employment status, education, health, frequency of religious services, and personal history, specifically childhood, encompassing family financial conditions and occurrences of abuse.

VanderWeele described the outcomes regarding youth flourishing as “concerning.” He indicated they align with other recent discoveries that point towards change.

Previously, a typical life trajectory of flourishing resembled a U-shaped curve, characterized by the highest satisfaction levels early and late in life. The lowest satisfaction occurred during the middle years, when the challenges of raising children, meeting professional expectations, and caring for aging parents converge.

This has now transitioned to a J-shape, where measures of flourishing remained nearly flat from late adolescence into the 20s before increasing later in life. That trend was observed across multiple nations, VanderWeele noted, but the U.S. exhibited one of the steepest disparities between the flourishing levels of its youth and older adults.

“It’s quite remarkable,” said VanderWeele, who also directs the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science. “It’s a genuine cause for apprehension.”

The research, published in the journal Nature Mental Health and backed by eight private foundations, was conducted by scholars from Harvard and Baylor universities, in collaboration with colleagues from 21 institutions, including universities in the U.S., Germany, Poland, Spain, Canada, and the U.K., along with the Gallup polling organization.

VanderWeele noted that the national ranking data was the most unexpected aspect of the study, providing compelling evidence that financial status alone does not ensure flourishing. The survey covered 22 countries and one territory (Hong Kong) organizers indicated span a diverse range of cultures, races, economic scenarios, and living conditions.

A ranking devoid of financial indicators placed Indonesia at the forefront, followed by Mexico, the Philippines, Israel, and Nigeria. The U.S. ranked 15th in that listing. Incorporating financial indicators slightly rearranged the rankings, with Israel and Mexico swapping positions, and Poland entering the top 5, displacing Nigeria. The U.S. ascended to 12th in that order. However, Japan consistently occupied the last position on both lists.

Brendan Case, associate director for research at the Human Flourishing Program and an author of the paper, stated that the national rankings challenge existing models of economic development that cite nations like Japan — whose rapid modernization after World War II established it as a global industrial leader. This contrasts with Indonesia, often portrayed as an example of the “middle-income trap,” where initial economic advancements plateau into long-term stagnation.

Even though Japan is wealthier and its citizens have longer lifespans, respondents there were the least inclined to affirm having an intimate friend, according to Case. Indonesia, on the other hand, achieved higher scores in relationship metrics and pro-social character traits, which promote social bonds and community.

“We’re not suggesting that those outcomes [wealth, longer lifespans] lack significance, or that we shouldn’t prioritize democracy, economic growth, or public health,” Case remarked, “but it’s intriguing to ponder that the Global Flourishing Study raises crucial questions regarding the potential trade-offs involved in that process.”

While numerous broader trends in the survey concealed notable variability,
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There were several findings that appeared nearly universal. Strong maternal and paternal relationships during childhood, along with excellent childhood health, were universally linked to greater flourishing in adulthood.

Regular attendance at religious services, at least weekly, was also closely correlated with adult flourishing. The authors noted that the beneficial impact of religious engagement aligns with prior research in Western contexts and has now been confirmed globally.

“These findings provoke significant inquiries regarding the future advancement of society,” the authors stated. “Are we adequately investing in the future considering the marked flourishing-age gradient, where the youngest demographics often perform the worst? Can we pursue economic growth in ways that do not undermine meaning, purpose, relationships, and character, especially since many economically advanced nations are falling short in these areas? As we advance economically and grow secular, have we at times overlooked or even suppressed vital spiritual avenues to flourishing?”

The researchers emphasized that the dataset is vast—it stems from effectively 23 distinct national or regional longitudinal studies—and reveals numerous intriguing patterns, with more to be uncovered through further analysis. It also broadens the exploration of human flourishing, which has primarily concentrated on populations in the West.

“Every nation has its own unique characteristics, and we are eager to explore and comprehend that,” said Tim Lomas, a research scientist in epidemiology at the Harvard Chan School and a participant in the Human Flourishing Program.

Some of the inquiries prompted by the survey may find answers as more data is gathered, Case mentioned. The study, which originated from a Harvard conference six years prior, is longitudinal, meaning researchers will reassess participants annually, with additional studies slated for release over the next five years.

“For society to eventually flourish,” the authors noted, “it’s critical to consider these issues of age, development, and spiritual dynamics.”

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