Western Regions Experience Lower Levels of Well-Being According to Gallup Data

In a world where economic indicators often dominate the headlines, it's essential to take a step back and consider how people are truly feeling about their lives. Gallup's Life Evaluation Index, based on the Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale, does just that. This scale asks people to rate their present and future lives on a scale from zero (worst possible) to 10 (best possible).

According to Gallup's data, a score of seven or higher today and eight or higher five years ahead classifies someone as "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.

Progress seems 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. However, it's important to note that gains in material well-being don't always translate into people feeling better about their lives.

One area where this is evident is in South Asia, which has shown no change at all since 2007, a sharp contrast to the upward trend elsewhere. Switzerland, too, has seen a steep reversal in thriving, with a drop of 22 points. In contrast, the Middle East and North Africa (17%) and sub-Saharan Africa (15%) have made only modest gains from already low starting points in thriving.

The trajectory of thriving has been on a steady rise, climbing well above pre-pandemic levels and showing sustained momentum. This rise is not confined to one group; men and women, both younger and older adults, are rating their lives more positively than in years past.

Fitness leaders such as CrossFit, Hyrox, Strong New York, and The Athletic Clubs are putting community at the core of their models. Meanwhile, initiatives like Parkrun, a global running initiative operating in 2,600 locations across 23 countries, with no fees, no finish times, and a focus on inclusion, are fostering a sense of belonging and well-being.

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. This shift is reflected in the decrease in those reporting themselves as "suffering." In 2024, just 7% worldwide said they were suffering, the lowest on record since 2007 and considerably lower than 12% a decade ago.

Robinson Club GmbH, part of the TUI Group, has recently emphasized community by integrating wellness and fitness event formats that combine group workouts, relaxation, and social experiences across their clubs in Kreta, Italy, and the Turkish Riviera. This focus on community and well-being seems to be paying off, as the figures suggest a global trend towards increased life satisfaction.

The data captures something GDP and other traditional economic indicators cannot: how people actually feel about their lives. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to evolve and what impact they will have on societies around the world.

Western Regions Experience Lower Levels of Well-Being According to Gallup Data