AMID ESCALATING TENSIONS, HARVARD RESEARCHERS UNVEIL GROUNDBREAKING FINDINGS ON FLOURISHING

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As our world grapples with escalating political tensions and ideological polarization, the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, in partnership with the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University unveiled today groundbreaking findings from the largest-ever study conducted on human flourishing.

According to Dr. Tyler VanderWeele Director of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard, "Human Flourishing offers powerful tools for fostering collective wellbeing. At this critical juncture in our nation, and our world, deepening our understanding of human flourishing is not just beneficial, it's essential," stated VanderWeele. "By identifying and nurturing factors that empower individuals and communities to thrive, we can transform how societies approach conflict, cooperation, and the shared pursuit of wellbeing."

The Global Flourishing Study (GFS), conducted in collaboration with Gallup and the Center for Open Science is a landmark effort encompassing insights from over 200,000 participants across 22 diverse countries, spanning all six populated continents, with research integrating expertise from more than 40 distinguished international scholars. This unprecedented global collaboration directly addresses today's urgent need for unity, meaning, and purpose in a world increasingly defined by despair, uncertainty and division.

"This study transcends traditional research boundaries, it offers a practical roadmap to a flourishing world," emphasized Dr. Byron R. Johnson, Director of the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University. "Our findings provide actionable insights for leaders committed to fostering environments where every individual can achieve greater purpose, connectedness, and fulfillment."

As global polarization continues to deepen, the GFS serves as a clarion call for collective action towards unity and shared prosperity. By placing human flourishing at the center of public discourse and policy, Harvard and Baylor researchers urge a worldwide shift toward creating societies where true wellbeing can be achieved by all.

Key findings from this transformative study include:

• Urgent Youth Crisis: Alarmingly, younger individuals aged 18-24 demonstrated lower flourishing across numerous nations studied, highlighting an immediate need for focused policies and initiatives aimed at supporting youth mental health and fostering a sense of purpose among emerging generations.
• Global Surprises: Middle-income nations such as Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines reported notably higher levels of meaning, purpose, and social connectedness compared to wealthier countries like Japan and the United Kingdom, and even, in a number of respects, Sweden and the United States, challenging traditional assumptions about prosperity and wellbeing.
• Religion's Significant Impact: Even within predominantly secular societies, religious engagement emerged as a significant factor related to enhanced wellbeing and greater community cohesion, underscoring spirituality's profound role in promoting societal flourishing.

Harvard and Baylor scholars will be on hand to answer questions about the study today, April 30, 2025, at the National Press Club (Bloomberg Room) at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

The comprehensive dataset from the Global Flourishing Study is openly accessible through the Center for Open Science, empowering policymakers, educators, community leaders, and businesses worldwide to actively apply its findings in creating more cohesive, resilient, and purpose-driven communities. To explore the complete findings and access data, visit: http://www.nature.com/collections/global-flourishing-study-wave1

About the Global Flourishing Study:

About the Global Flourishing Study: The Global Flourishing Study is an ambitious collaborative initiative between the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, Baylor University, Gallup, and the Center for Open Science. Funded by an international consortium of leading foundations, this extensive research provides unprecedented insights into global wellbeing, with intended annual data collection conducted over five years across culturally and geographically diverse regions.

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SOURCE The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University