Global Well-Being Trends Show Rising Optimism With Western Nations Lagging Behind

0 4 3 minutes read

A new global survey by Gallup reveals a significant rise in self-reported well-being across 142 countries, while advanced Western economies including the United States report sharp declines in life satisfaction and optimism. The data highlights a growing disconnect between economic prosperity and social health in developed nations.

According to Gallup’s latest global findings, the percentage of people identifying as “thriving” has steadily increased over the past decade. Only 7% of respondents now classify their lives as “suffering,” the lowest level since 2007. Countries such as Kosovo, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and Paraguay have demonstrated significant gains.

In contrast, Western nations including the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Western Europe report declining well-being. In 2007, 67% of Americans and Canadians described themselves as thriving. That figure has now dropped to 49%.

The findings contrast sharply with economic indicators. While U.S. GDP has grown, wages have risen, unemployment remains low, and income inequality has narrowed, these improvements have not translated into greater life satisfaction.

Data from Gallup’s January 2025 survey shows a record low number of Americans reporting being “very satisfied” with their lives. The Edelman Trust Barometer reports only 30% of Americans feel optimistic about the next generation’s future.

Gallup’s Dan Witters emphasized that individuals who feel strongly attached to their communities, participate in congregational life, and report a sense of purpose are more likely to thrive. These indicators, he noted, are central to both short- and long-term perceptions of well-being.

A comprehensive survey, the Global Flourishing Study led by Tyler J. VanderWeele (Harvard) and Byron Johnson (Baylor) has interviewed over 200,000 people across 22 countries since 2022. The study finds that nations like Israel and Poland perform well across economic, social, and spiritual dimensions.

Conversely, developed countries such as Japan and those in Scandinavia score high on material well-being but show lower levels of reported purpose and meaning. Countries including Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines score relatively lower economically but demonstrate stronger social and spiritual indicators.

Analysts suggest that nations preserving traditional social structures and cultural values are outperforming others on well-being metrics. Nations like the U.S. that have embraced economic growth while deprioritizing communal and moral frameworks report deteriorating social conditions.

VanderWeele posits that societal orientation affects outcomes: “You end up getting what you value most.” He notes that prioritizing economic success at the expense of meaning and community contributes to the decline.

Citing data from the World Values Survey, researchers observe that Western nations have shifted toward secular, individualistic, and self-expressive value systems. This shift correlates with a drop in well-being. In contrast, countries with more collectivist or traditional frameworks such as Serbia, South Korea, and Mexico show improved outcomes.

Two groups are particularly affected: young people and progressive ideologues. The traditional U-shaped happiness curve has shifted. Young individuals now report lower happiness levels than older demographics across the U.S., Australia, Germany, Sweden, and the U.K.

Moreover, a 2024 FIRE survey shows 57% of “very liberal” U.S. college students report poor mental health at least half the time, compared to 35% of their “very conservative” peers. Researchers note that happiness-correlated behaviors such as marriage, community engagement, and religious participation are more common among conservatives.

Analysts link rising depression rates among young progressives to a heightened embrace of autonomy and social freedom. The increasing emphasis on hyper-individualism is seen as undermining communal and spiritual well-being.

Cultural observers note that America’s focus on economic achievement has come at the expense of the social and moral foundations of human flourishing. Educational systems prioritize professional skills over communal values and spiritual growth.

There is growing concern that prevailing values favoring individualism over communal obligations may continue to weaken the societal pillars that support long-term well-being.

The divergence in global well-being signals more than economic disparity. It underscores the importance of cultural, social, and spiritual infrastructures. While developing nations feel the momentum of upward change, developed countries may be grappling with the stagnation of meaning amid material abundance.