Britain: Britain has placed 20th out of 22 nations in a sweeping new international study on human flourishing, raising alarms about the nation’s overall wellbeing, especially among younger generations.
The Global Flourishing Study, one of the largest initiatives of its kind, evaluated countries across six continents using factors such as happiness, health, financial security, relationships and a sense of meaning in life. Drawing on data from more than 200,000 participants each year, the five-year project is designed to capture how people experience life and what contributes to their long-term wellbeing.
While countries like Indonesia, Israel, the Philippines and Mexico topped the rankings, the UK joined Turkey and Japan at the bottom of the list. The findings, published in Nature Mental Health, stand in stark contrast to those of the World Happiness Report, which often ranks wealthier countries higher, including the UK in its top quartile.
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The discrepancy may lie in differing interpretations of wellbeing. While countries with higher GDPs tend to score better on financial and life evaluation metrics, they appear to lag in interpersonal relationships and finding life meaningful areas where the Global Flourishing Study places more weight.
Particularly concerning was the poor showing of young adults in high-income countries. In the UK, 18- to 24-year-olds reported significantly lower life satisfaction than their older peers. According to Dr. Tim Lomas, a psychologist involved in the study, stated that, “The very youngest in the UK do seem to be particularly struggling.”
Religious engagement in childhood also emerged as a potential predictor of better adult wellbeing, although researchers stress this is a correlation, not proof of causation. The study, co-funded by the John Templeton Foundation, included questions on upbringing, education, and religious practices to build a fuller picture of each respondent’s life.
Some experts urged caution in interpreting the results. Prof. Kate Pickett, an epidemiologist at the University of York, noted that countries like Japan which ranked lowest have strong health outcomes, including the longest life expectancy and lowest infant mortality. She also highlighted the absence of discussion around the Covid-19 pandemic, which likely affected young people’s scores most severely due to disruptions in education, social life and mental health.
Despite limitations, the study’s authors hope its 12-question self-assessment tool will help individuals and nations alike track and improve wellbeing over time.
The results underscore a need for renewed focus on early-life support, secure employment, mental health care, and reducing inequality, all critical components for nurturing a flourishing society.
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