This modern exploration of well-being doesn’t just measure economic growth or physical health. It reaches deeper, across cultures and continents, to uncover what it really means to live a flourishing life. The results confirm what we all know deep down. We flourish by maintaining a sense of wonder, curiosity, and humility about the world we all share and our place in it

An Ancient Compass: Eudaimonia and the Good Life

The idea of flourishing isn’t new. In ancient Greece, Aristotle used the term eudaimonia to describe the highest human good—often translated as flourishing, fulfillment, or living in alignment with one’s true nature. But eudaimonia wasn't about fleeting happiness. It was about living with purpose, developing virtue, and contributing to something beyond the self.

In today’s world, where success is often equated with status or material gain, the Greek vision of a meaningful, well-lived life feels refreshingly relevant. And this is exactly where the Global Flourishing Study enters the picture—offering not just data, but insight into how this timeless ideal plays out in the modern world.

A Global Effort to Understand Well-Being

Launched through a collaboration between institutions including Harvard and Gallup, the Global Flourishing Study is one of the most ambitious research efforts on human well-being ever attempted. Spanning more than 20 countries and 240,000 participants, the study aims to uncover shared patterns of flourishing—and cultural differences—in what people value, how they live, and what makes life worth living.

Instead of a narrow focus on wealth or health, the study explores six dimensions of a flourishing life:

Happiness and life satisfaction – Do people feel content and fulfilled?
Physical and mental health – How well are people functioning in body and mind?
Meaning and purpose – Do they feel their lives matter?
Character and virtue – How do people behave in the face of difficulty?
Close social relationships – Are they deeply connected to others?
Financial and material stability – Do they feel secure in their daily needs?

These dimensions offer a holistic portrait of human well-being—recognizing that flourishing is a multidimensional, deeply human experience.

What We’re Learning from the World

One of the study’s most striking insights is how flourishing is not determined by wealth alone. Some of the countries with the highest economic prosperity—like Japan or the U.S.—score surprisingly low on overall flourishing. Meanwhile, countries like Mexico, Indonesia, and the Philippines score highly in meaning, purpose, and social connection—even with less material stability.

What Makes People Flourish? Rediscovering the Art of Living Well

In Mexico, for example, people report some of the highest levels of life satisfaction and meaning across all surveyed nations, despite lower average incomes. In fact, Mexican respondents ranked highest for having a strong sense of purpose in life. Community, family ties, and spiritual life play a central role—reminding us that flourishing isn’t something bought, but built through connection, resilience, and shared meaning.

Indonesia's remarkable top ranking in the Global Flourishing Study—surpassing even wealthier nations like the United States—has intrigued researchers and policymakers alike. While the study's findings are multifaceted, several key cultural and societal factors contribute to Indonesia's high flourishing scores. Indonesia's cultural and spiritual practices also play a crucial role in its flourishing. The Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony with God, fellow humans, and nature, reflects a holistic approach to life that promotes well-being.

Furthermore, religious participation has been linked to higher levels of flourishing. The Global Flourishing Study found that countries with higher levels of religious engagement, such as Indonesia, report stronger senses of meaning and community.

Why This Matters Now

In many high-income countries, despite unprecedented access to health care, technology, and education, people report growing loneliness, disconnection, and existential uncertainty. The flourishing data reflects this. The UK, for instance, ranks near the bottom of the list, trailing behind countries with far fewer resources but stronger community bonds and cultural cohesion.

The United Kingdom's surprisingly low ranking in the Global Flourishing Study—20th out of 22 countries—has raised significant concerns among researchers and policymakers. A primary contributor to the UK's low ranking is the mental health crisis, particularly among young people. The Good Childhood Report indicates that UK teenagers experience the lowest life satisfaction levels across Europe, with over a third of 15-year-olds reporting low happiness.

The message? Flourishing is not guaranteed by modernity. In fact, the pressure of constant productivity, hyper-individualism, and digital isolation may be eroding some of the core ingredients of well-being.

The Global Flourishing Study helps reframe our view. Flourishing isn't just about personal wellness—it's about the ecosystems we create, the virtues we practice, and the stories we tell about what makes life meaningful.

Looking Forward: Flourishing as a Collective Practice

Aristotle argued that a flourishing life is cultivated—it takes discipline, community, and moral imagination. Today, science echoes that ancient wisdom. While policy can improve material conditions, only people, connected and purposeful, can create flourishing lives.

What’s powerful about the Global Flourishing Study is that it doesn’t just report on well-being—it invites a conversation. It asks us to look beyond the usual metrics and ask deeper questions: What kind of society are we creating? What do we value? What kind of future are we choosing?

If flourishing is the goal, then the path forward is not just personal—it’s communal. It’s not just about being well, but doing well. As one participant reflected, “Flourishing is not a destination. It’s how we walk through the world—with intention, care, and connection.”