Am I happy? What makes me happy? My relationship? My family? My job? The gross domestic product of a given country says nothing about how its inhabitants live. Themselves So the money does not give happiness. Even in rich countries, people can feel lonely and dissatisfied.
At the same time, you need a certain level of prosperity and safety so that people feel good. Whether and when we are satisfied depends on our subjective assessments and personal well -being.
The international research team analyzed new surveys as part of the “Global Flourishing Study” study (GFS) to find out what determines the happy life and in what countries people are particularly satisfied. “Flourishing” means Striving for a full sense, joy and personal development.
Scientific search for fulfillment in life
The results published in the journal “Nature Mental Health” differ significantly depending on the country. Scientists emphasize that this is not about the ranking of countries. The results depend not only on the country, but also on respondents' respondents from individual countries. In addition, the results from 22 countries do not reflect the situation around the world.
Nevertheless Some general statements apply almost everywhere: people they have worklive in a relationship or regularly participate in religious eventsthey usually lead a more fulfilled life.
The differences between the sexes are small; People who are in marriage consistently report a higher level of satisfaction than other people; working and retired people achieve better results than non -working people; Higher level of education and more frequent participation in religious events – for example, services – are associated with a higher level of fulfillment
-explains Leon Steckermeier, an assistant professor of sociology used at the University of Kaiserslautern -landau, which did not participate in the study.
“Flourish index”
In addition to demographic data and childhood questions, various areas of life were examined: health, subjective well -being, sense of life, character, relationships and financial security.
The result is the “flourish index”. The concept of “flourishing” aims to comprehensively capture the quality of all areas of the person's life. For this purpose, it was carried out A survey among over 200,000 people from 22 different countries All over the world, including in Germany. These surveys will be repeated every year in the coming years with the participation of the same people to be able to analyze Changes in time.
Scientists appreciate above all the extensive database of the new study, which The results partly different from the annual World Happiness Report reportaccording to prof. Dr. Hilke Brockmann, professor of sociology at Constructor University in Bremen: “The ranking of the countries does not coincide with this year's World Happiness Report (WHP) report, which (always) puts rich Scandinavian countries at the top of the list. And vice versa, Indonesia ranks first in the GFS ranking, but in the GFS ranking, but in the WHP 2025 report It ranks 83th. “
Happiness in old age, worries in his youth
The results regarding “flourishing” over time are also particularly surprising: many of the researchers of happiness assume that life satisfaction has a U.
However, the subjective well -being during life varies significantly depending on the country: for example, “flourishing” increases with age in Australia, Brazil, and Brazil, and JapanSweden and the United States. In Indonesia, Kenya and Turkey, it remains at the same level, while in India and Tanzania it falls during his life.
The report does not contain too many explanations regarding possible causes. It also does not contain any recommendations. “The differences between individual countries also remain mysterious. This is due to the fact that the concept of 'flourish' refers to the contexts very generally, without specifying them more accurately, 'says Steckenmeier
Youth shapes his whole life
Particularly sad and disturbing is that younger generations “Both in terms of subjective and mental well -being they are lagging much behind behind previous generations, “says the assistant professor of sociology used at the University of Kaiserslautern -landau.
Generally “in younger age groups is observed Surprisingly low flourishing level. As the authors themselves note, it is surprising from a scientific point of view, and a disturbing policy point of view. “
The new study clearly shows how strongly satisfaction depends on mental and physical health, close social relationships and financial and material stability.
According to Steckenmeier, “difficult living conditions in childhood, such as relations with parents, the financial situation of the household or health in early youth, are associated with a lower level of flourishing in adulthood.” “There is also a long shadow of childhood events, such as violence against children,” says sociologist Hilke Brockmann.
The article comes from the website Deutsche Welle, It was originally released on the pages German editorial office DW