# Global Flourishing Study

> The Global Flourishing Study (GFS) is a longitudinal study of human flourishing spanning 22 countries and over 200,000 participants. It is run by Baylor University's Institute for Global Human Flourishing and Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program, with data collection by Gallup and open data hosted at the Center for Open Science.

This site publishes plain-language summaries of GFS research papers, wave reports, and information about the team, plus an AI assistant that answers questions grounded in the published corpus.

## Key pages
- [Study overview](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/overview): What the Global Flourishing Study is, its design, partner institutions, and measures.
- [Research explorer](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/research): Index of every published GFS paper summary.
- [Reports](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/reports): Wave reports and briefings.
- [Team](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/team): Researchers and contributors.

## Papers
- [Childhood Predictors of Dispositional Forgivingness in Adulthood: A Cross-National Analysis with 22 Countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-roots-of-forgiveness-are-planted-in-childhood): What if the key to being a forgiving adult was shaped by your life when you were just 12 years old?
- [A cross-national analysis of childhood predictors of physical pain](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/a-cross-national-analysis-of-childhood-predictors-of-physical-pain): The physical pain you feel today might have roots in events that happened decades ago, when you were a child.
- [A cross-national analysis of childhood predictors of daily smoking in adulthood](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/how-your-childhood-shapes-your-smoking-habits): Experiencing abuse or parental divorce as a child can increase the odds of daily smoking in adulthood by 26%.
- [A cross-sectional analysis of male versus female flourishing among 202,898 participants across 22 countries on 73 variables in the global flourishing study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/are-men-or-women-happier-the-answer-is-complicated): Globally, women report more happiness, better relationships, and greater purpose—so why do men score slightly higher in overall flourishing?
- [Childhood predictors of suffering in adulthood across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-long-shadow-of-childhood-on-adult-suffering): Surprisingly, moderate religious attendance in childhood was linked to more suffering in adulthood, not less.
- [Life course insights into social relationship quality: a cross-national analysis of 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-secret-to-great-relationships-starts-in-childhood): The quality of your relationships today may have been decided long before you met the people in your life.
- [Flourishing in Hong Kong: An analysis of wellbeing-related outcomes in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/happy-wealthy-and-alone-in-hong-kong): In Hong Kong, people with less education surprisingly report being happier than those with advanced degrees.
- [Demographic variation in weekly alcohol use across countries in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/demographic-variation-in-weekly-alcohol-use-across-countries-in-the-global-flourishing-study): Think more education means less drinking? A global study of 200,000 people suggests the opposite.
- [A cross-national analysis of sociodemographic variation in suffering across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-global-map-of-human-suffering): In some countries, more than half the population reports suffering, while in others, it’s less than a quarter.
- [Analytic methodology for demographic variation analyses for wave 1 of the global flourishing study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/what-gives-200-000-people-a-sense-of-purpose): Wealthy, Western nations report some of the lowest levels of life purpose in a massive new global study.
- [Childhood predictors of volunteering across 22 countries in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/what-makes-us-help-the-surprising-roots-of-volunteering): Surprisingly, new research on 200,000 people finds that experiencing abuse or feeling like an outsider in childhood is linked to a higher likelihood of volunteering as an adult.
- [When the glass is half full: early life experiences and adult optimism in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-childhood-roots-of-an-optimistic-life): What if the secret to a hopeful future is hidden in your past?
- [Religious Differences in Physical and Mental Health among Israeli Jews: Findings from the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/religious-differences-in-physical-and-mental-health-among-israeli-jews-findings-from-the-global-flou): What if being more religious was consistently linked to better health, less pain, and more happiness?
- [Analysis of demographic variation and childhood correlates of financial well-being across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/how-your-childhood-shapes-your-financial-well-being-today): Your relationship with your parents as a kid could be shaping how you feel about money as an adult.
- [A cross-national analysis of sociodemographic variation in educational attainment](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-gets-to-learn-a-global-snapshot-of-education): In some countries, your chance of getting a college-level education is over 50 times higher than in others.
- [A cross-national analysis of demographic variation in daily smoking across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-smokes-vs-how-much-the-real-story): A country with very few smokers can still have a major smoking problem.
- [Childhood predictors of balance in life: a cross-national analysis of the global flourishing study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-seeds-of-a-balanced-life-are-sown-in-childhood): Feeling like an outsider in your family as a child can harm your sense of balance in adulthood more than experiencing abuse or poverty.
- [Comparison of the effects of childhood demographic characteristics on physical activity during adulthood across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-childhood-roots-of-an-active-adult-life): Did you know that attending religious services as a child is linked to how much you exercise as an adult?
- [Understanding Well-Being in Poland: Insights from the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/understanding-well-being-in-poland-insights-from-the-global-flourishing-study): Despite a history of hardship, people in Poland report being happier and more satisfied with their lives than the average across 22 other nations.
- [A cross-sectional study of demographic variation in health problem-related limitations in life across 22 countries: a cross-national analysis](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/our-bodies-our-limits-a-global-look-at-health-hurdles): Why do people in the Philippines report more than double the rate of health limitations as people in Poland?
- [Childhood predictors of health limitations in life across 22 countries: a cross-national and cross-sectional analysis](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-long-shadow-of-a-painful-childhood-2): Experiencing abuse as a child increases the risk of life-limiting health problems in adulthood by nearly 60%.
- [Demographic variation in pain across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-hurts-the-most-around-the-world): Where you live might determine how much you hurt: people in Egypt are more than twice as likely to report being in pain as those in Israel.
- [Childhood predictors of belief in life after death across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/what-makes-us-believe-in-life-after-death): What happens in childhood — from going to religious services to experiencing abuse — may shape whether we believe in life after death as adults.
- [Cross-national variation in faith sharing across religious traditions](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/sharing-your-beliefs-a-global-story-of-faith-and-culture): In Tanzania, over 80% of people share their faith with others, while in Japan, that number is only 4%.
- [Demographic variation in charitable giving and helping across 22 countries in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-surprising-global-map-of-generosity): Globally, older people are more likely to donate money, but younger people are more likely to help a stranger.
- [Childhood predictors of adults’ belief in god, gods, and spiritual forces across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/why-we-believe-a-global-story-of-faith): What if childhood poverty, trauma, and family breakups have almost no universal link to adult religious belief?
- [Childhood experiences and adult prayer or meditation in 22 countries around the world](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/why-you-pray-or-don-t-it-started-in-childhood): Attending religious services just once a week as a child nearly doubles your likelihood of praying or meditating daily as an adult.
- [Well-being in the United States: Insights from the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-is-thriving-in-america-the-answers-may-surprise-you): Despite facing more physical pain, older Americans report being happier, more peaceful, and less lonely than young adults.
- [Sociodemographic variation and childhood predictors of showing love and care for others in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/sociodemographic-variation-and-childhood-predictors-of-showing-love-and-care-for-others-in-22-countr): People in the Philippines report showing love more often than those in 21 other countries, while people in Japan report it the least.
- [Echoes of compassion in the Global Flourishing Study: Cross-national distributions and predictors of prosociality and loving care](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/echoes-of-compassion-in-the-global-flourishing-study-cross-national-distributions-and-predictors-of): What if a painful childhood could lead to a more compassionate life?
- [Analytic methodology for childhood predictor analyses for wave 1 of the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/a-blueprint-for-understanding-how-our-childhoods-shape-us): How do you build a trustworthy instruction manual for studying the lives of over 200,000 people across 22 different countries?
- [The Global Flourishing Study: Study Profile and Initial Results on Flourishing](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-global-flourishing-study-study-profile-and-initial-results-on-flourishing): Contrary to popular belief, a massive global study finds that well-being now tends to increase with age, raising alarms about the struggles of young adults.
- [Mapping Religious and Spiritual Comfort Worldwide: Demographic Patterns Across 22 Countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/where-do-people-find-strength-in-faith-a-global-map): In Egypt, nearly everyone finds comfort in religion or spirituality — but in Japan, almost no one does.
- [Religious Reading across Borders and Demographics: A Study of 22 Countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-reads-sacred-texts-it-depends-on-where-you-live): In Tanzania, 70% of people read or listen to sacred texts daily — in Japan, it's just 4%.
- [Community participation in secular and religious contexts across sociodemographic groups in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/faith-groups-may-be-the-key-to-stronger-communities): What if going to a church, mosque, or temple was one of the best ways to get people involved in book clubs and sports teams?
- [Flourishing in Sweden: Great overall—but not for all](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/flourishing-in-sweden-great-overall-but-not-for-all): In one of the world's happiest countries, young adults are up to seven times more anxious than their grandparents.
- [Flourishing in South Africa: Benchmarks and sociodemographic variation across 69 health, wellbeing, and related factors in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/flourishing-in-south-africa-benchmarks-and-sociodemographic-variation-across-69-health-wellbeing-and): Despite facing deep economic hardship, South Africans report higher levels of hope and religious faith than people in many wealthier nations.
- [Physical pain as a component of subjective wellbeing](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/why-your-feelings-can-literally-hurt): Even people in near-perfect physical health experience real pain linked directly to their emotions.
- [A cross-national analysis of demographic variation in self-rated mental health across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-surprising-global-map-of-mental-well-being): People in some of the world's wealthiest nations report the worst mental health, while those in some lower-income countries report the best.
- [Sociodemographic Variation in Gratitude Using a Cross-National Analysis with 22 Countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-global-map-of-gratitude-who-feels-it-most): People in Indonesia report feeling far more grateful than people in Japan, revealing vast cultural differences in this powerful emotion.
- [Association between Jewish religious observance and mental health among Israeli adults: Findings from the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/in-israel-faith-is-linked-to-greater-happiness): For Jewish adults in Israel, greater religious observance is consistently linked to better mental health—from less depression to more happiness.
- [Demographic variation in symptoms of depression and anxiety across 22 Global Flourishing Study countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/demographic-variation-in-symptoms-of-depression-and-anxiety-across-22-global-flourishing-study-count): In the Philippines, 1 in 2 people report significant depression symptoms, compared to just 1 in 7 in Poland.
- [Love and human flourishing](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/love-the-untapped-key-to-a-better-world): What if the most powerful tool for improving our world has been overlooked by science and policy?
- [Spirituality, religion, and well-being among Israeli Jews: findings from the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/spiritual-religious-or-both-the-answer-may-surprise-you): When it comes to your happiness, identifying as 'spiritual' may be more important than identifying as 'religious'.
- [A cross-national analysis of demographic variation in perceived social trust across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/do-you-trust-your-neighbors-do-you-think-they-trust-each-other): The United States ranks dead last in perceived social trust — only 1 in 10 Americans believe most people in their country trust one another.
- [Childhood predictors of political voice across 22 countries in the global flourishing study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/childhood-predictors-of-political-voice-across-22-countries-in-the-global-flourishing-study): Surprisingly, experiencing abuse as a child can sometimes lead to a stronger political voice in adulthood.
- [Sociodemographic variations of belief in life after death across 22 Countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-global-divide-on-life-after-death): While 95% of people in Indonesia believe in life after death, only 21% of people in Japan do.
- [Variations in belonging across 22 countries in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/where-do-we-truly-belong): In some countries, feeling like you belong gets stronger with age — but in others, it fades away.
- [Comparison of the relationship between key demographic features and physical activity levels across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-stays-active-a-surprising-global-snapshot): Think young people exercise the most? A massive global study found people in their 60s are often more active.
- [Life Satisfaction is More Strongly Correlated with Flourishing Than Cantril’s Ladder](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-simple-question-that-captures-more-of-life): The question used to rank the world's happiest countries may be missing the bigger picture of what makes life good.
- [Characterizing the childhood roots of adult sense of mastery across 22 countries in the global flourishing study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/characterizing-the-childhood-roots-of-adult-sense-of-mastery-across-22-countries-in-the-global-flour): A healthy and stable childhood has an even bigger impact on an adult’s sense of control in wealthier countries than in poorer ones.
- [Mapping demographic variations in sense of mastery across the world a cross-national analysis of 22 countries in the global flourishing study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-feels-most-in-control-of-their-life): People in Mexico and Egypt report feeling more capable and in control of their lives than people in the United States, Sweden, or Germany.
- [Demographic Variation in Inner Peace Across 22 Countries: A Cross-National Analysis of the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/demographic-variation-in-inner-peace-across-22-countries-a-cross-national-analysis-of-the-global-flo): Did you know that, on average, our sense of inner peace tends to increase as we get older?
- [Flourishing in Türkiye: A comprehensive country-specific analysis of wellbeing-related outcomes in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/t-rkiye-s-hidden-crisis-of-well-being): Despite a culture known for strong family ties, a massive global study found that people in Türkiye report the lowest levels of happiness and life satisfaction out of 22 countries.
- [Seeds of Hope: Cross-National Analysis of Childhood Predictors of Hope in 22 Countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-childhood-seeds-of-lifelong-hope): What if the hope you feel today was planted decades ago in your childhood?
- [Identifying childhood correlates of adult purpose and meaning across 22 countries (Global Flourishing Study)](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-childhood-roots-of-a-purposeful-life): Feeling like an outsider as a child can be as damaging to your future sense of purpose as experiencing abuse.
- [Flourishing in Argentina: Evidence from the Global Flourishing Study (GFS) across socioeconomic groups and levels of religiosity](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/argentina-s-surprising-happiness-amidst-hardship): Despite crushing financial worries, people in Argentina report higher levels of happiness and meaning than the global average.
- [Religious centrality across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/does-religion-still-guide-our-lives): In Indonesia, 94% of people say religion guides their whole life, but in Japan, that number is only 7%.
- [Where Hope Thrives: Demographic Variation in Hope across 22 Countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/where-hope-lives-who-stays-hopeful-around-the-world): People who attend religious services more than once a week report the highest hope levels worldwide — but the country you live in might matter even more.
- [Demographic Variation in Social Support and Intimate Friend Across 22 Countries: A Cross-National Analysis](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-has-your-back-around-the-world): While 84% of people globally have a close friend, where you live and what you do can dramatically change your odds of feeling connected.
- [A cross-national analysis of demographic variation in belief in God, gods, or spiritual forces in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-believes-in-god-a-global-snapshot-of-faith): Across 22 countries, belief in God, gods, or spiritual forces ranges from a staggering 100% in Egypt to just 20% in Japan.
- [Understanding who volunteers globally through an examination of demographic variation in volunteering across 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-gives-their-time-a-global-look-at-volunteering): In Nigeria, more than half the population volunteers, while in Egypt, it's less than one in twenty.
- [Childhood predictors of perceptions of social trust across 22 countries in the global flourishing study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/how-your-childhood-shapes-your-trust-in-the-world): A good relationship with your parents as a child might make you believe your whole country is more trustworthy today.
- [Swedish Well-Being: The rising importance of age among demographic, personality, and social relationship factors](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/swedish-well-being-the-rising-importance-of-age-among-demographic-personality-and-social-relationshi): In one of the world's happiest countries, young people are now significantly less happy than their elders—a dramatic reversal from just a few years ago.
- [Childhood predictors of charitable giving and helping across 22 countries in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-surprising-childhood-roots-of-a-generous-life): What if some of the most generous adults are the ones who suffered most as children?
- [The distribution of optimism across sociodemographic groups in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-surprising-global-map-of-optimism): What if the world’s wealthiest nations are running low on optimism?
- [The Prevalence and Predictors of Experiences of Beauty in 22 Countries: An International Assessment of Aesthetic Appreciation in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-prevalence-and-predictors-of-experiences-of-beauty-in-22-countries-an-international-assessment-o): People in some of the world's poorest nations report experiencing more beauty than those in the wealthiest.
- [Strangers, Friends, and Everything Between: Sociodemographic Variation in Social Relationship Quality Across 22 Countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-global-secrets-to-stronger-friendships-and-family-bonds): Contrary to what you might think, our relationships don't get worse with age—they get better.
- [Childhood predictors of religious reading: a cross-national analysis in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-childhood-roots-of-our-adult-spiritual-habits): Surprisingly, difficult childhoods—including experiences of abuse or feeling like an outsider—can lead to a greater engagement with sacred texts in adulthood.
- [Demographic Variation in Balance in Life Across 22 Countries: A Cross-National Analysis of the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-feels-balanced-in-a-tilted-world): Did you know that where you live can nearly double your chances of feeling like your life is in balance?
- [Variations in character involving an orientation to promote good across sociodemographic groups in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-tries-to-do-good-in-the-world): Surprisingly, people in wealthier, more individualistic countries often report a lower commitment to doing good than those in many developing nations.
- [Early life experiences and adult orientation to promote good in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-childhood-roots-of-a-good-life): What if the secret to being a good person is found in how you grew up?
- [Childhood experiences and adult self-rated physical health in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/childhood-experiences-and-adult-self-rated-physical-health-in-22-countries): What if the key to your physical health today was hidden in your memories from when you were 12 years old?
- [Childhood predictors of social support and intimate friends in a Cross-National analysis of the global flourishing study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-childhood-roots-of-adult-friendships): Did you know that strong friendships can boost well-being as much as a five-fold increase in income?
- [Feeling Loved, Showing Love, and Flourishing: Implications of Survey Findings for the Practice of Leadership Across All Sectors](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/feeling-loved-showing-love-and-flourishing-implications-of-survey-findings-for-the-practice-of-leade): What if showing love to others is more important for your happiness than feeling loved yourself?
- [Mental illness, mental health, and mental well-being](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/is-not-depressed-the-same-as-happy): Did you know that some people with clinical depression still report high levels of life satisfaction?
- [The roots of belonging: childhood predictors of belonging in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/how-your-childhood-shapes-your-sense-of-belonging): Going to religious services as a kid could make you feel more connected as an adult—or more isolated, depending on where you live.
- [Childhood experiences and adult community participation in secular and religious contexts in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-childhood-roots-of-our-adult-communities): The single biggest predictor of joining a book club as an adult might be whether you went to religious services as a child.
- [Flourishing in the Philippines: Country-specific insights from the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/how-faith-and-family-create-a-rich-life-in-the-philippines): Why are Filipinos happier than average despite having less money?
- [Sociodemographic variation in dispositional forgivingness: a cross-national analysis with 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/who-forgives-a-global-look-at-letting-go): In Nigeria, 92% of people say they often or always forgive, while in Türkiye, the number is just 41%.
- [Childhood antecedents of adult place satisfaction in 22 countries](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/how-your-childhood-shapes-your-love-for-your-city): The happiness you feel about where you live today might have been decided decades ago, in your childhood home.
- [Demographic variation in self-rated physical health across 22 countries: findings from the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/how-healthy-you-feel-depends-on-where-you-live): Would you guess that people in some developing nations report feeling healthier than people in some of the world's wealthiest countries?
- [An exploratory cross-national analysis of the childhood predictors of inner peace in the Global Flourishing Study](https://globalflourishingstudy.com/paper/the-secret-to-inner-peace-starts-in-childhood): In some countries, having poor health as a child is linked to experiencing more inner peace as an adult.