Science Quickly Are You Flourishing? This Global Study Has Surprising Takeaways
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May 30, 2025 Victor Counted, an associate professor at Regent University and part of Harvard's Human Flourishing Program, discusses the fascinating findings from the Global Flourishing Study. He reveals how flourishing extends beyond happiness to encompass well-being across cultures. Counted highlights surprising stagnation in young people's life satisfaction and stresses the importance of supportive relationships and job security. Additionally, he argues that despite financial wealth, the U.S. struggles with meaningful connections, emphasizing the true essence of a flourishing life.
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Multidimensional Nature of Flourishing
- Flourishing is a multidimensional concept beyond just happiness or positive emotions.
- It includes happiness, meaning, character, health, relationships, and financial stability.
Youth Struggles and Religion's Role
- Young people are struggling to flourish, with a flat well-being curve until about age 50.
- Religious service attendance strongly correlates with higher flourishing, despite some reporting more pain and suffering.
U.S. Flourishing Paradox
- The U.S. scores high on financial stability but low on meaning and relationships.
- More money does not guarantee happiness or a flourishing life.