Western regions exhibit lower levels of well-being according to Gallup data.

In a remarkable turn of events, the world is witnessing a significant increase in global thriving, according to recent data from Gallup. This upward trend, which has been on the rise for over a decade, is tied to rising satisfaction with personal freedoms (81% globally), stronger perceptions of child well-being (75% say their country is a good place for kids to grow), and a rebound in economic optimism since the 2008 financial crisis.

The United Nations' Human Development Index (HDI) improvements mirror this rise in global thriving, but Gallup's data suggests that the drivers run deeper. The findings indicate that consumers are drinking less, investing more in health, and showing a greater willingness to spend on healthy food and lifestyle choices that prioritize well-being.

Fitness and wellness brands could use offerings that go deeper, with spaces that promote community, programs that weave mental health into fitness, and experiences that help people feel connected. For instance, SoulCycle's recent partnership with The Zero Proof offers a model combining a fitness class with a social aspect that celebrates a sober-curious lifestyle. Similarly, fitness leaders such as CrossFit, Hyrox, Strong New York, and The Athletic Clubs are putting community at the core of their models.

Run club participation rates are climbing, with initiatives like Parkrun focusing on accessibility, community, and inclusion. Reports of thriving are climbing steadily in Latin America, Eastern and Southern Europe, East and Southeast Asia, and much of Post-Soviet Eurasia. However, the Middle East and North Africa (17%) and sub-Saharan Africa (15%) have made only modest gains from already low starting points in the trajectory of thriving.

Interestingly, the gains are not confined to one group. Both men and women, as well as younger and older adults, are rating their lives more positively than in years past. However, the data suggests that young people in North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are driving much of the decline in thriving.

In 2024, a median of 33% of adults across 142 countries described themselves as "thriving." This figure is slightly higher than the population-weighted average of 28%, which gives more influence to heavily populated countries like China and India. However, Switzerland is the only country to see a steep reversal in thriving, with a drop of 22 points.

The trajectory of thriving has been on the rise, extending more than a decade of steady progress in how people rate their lives. In 2024, just 7% worldwide said they were suffering, the lowest on record since 2007 and considerably lower than 12% a decade ago. Despite this positive trend, there is no available information from the provided sources about which adolescents in which countries in 2024 show a pronounced aversion to the feeling of thriving.

The data matters because it captures something GDP and other traditional economic indicators cannot: how people actually feel about their lives. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, businesses, and communities to make informed decisions that prioritize the well-being and happiness of their citizens.