Latest news with #CantrilSelf-AnchoringStrivingScale
UPI
29-07-2025
- General
- UPI
Gallup survey: People feel they're living better lives on global scale
July 29 (UPI) -- People around the world apparently feel that they are living better lives than they have in years and are more hopeful for the future, according to Gallup. The global analytics and advisory firm released its Life Evaluation Index on Tuesday, which is based on the Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale. The scale asks those polled to first "Please imagine a ladder with steps numbered from zero at the bottom to 10 at the top," with the top of the ladder representing "the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you." It then asks, "On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?" and then "On which step do you think you will stand about five years from now?" In 2024, Gallup asked adults across 142 countries to rate their lives, and a median of 33% rated their lives well enough to be classified as "thriving," which demonstrates a trend of improvements in life evaluation that has risen for more than a decade. This does differ from the 28% population-weighted average of global residents who feel that they are thriving, which leans more toward nations with larger populations, but not enough to affect the overall upward average that has been seen over the past 15 years. Gallup further notes that the global medium tracks closely and remains higher than what was recorded before the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that the 2024 median score was 5.9 out of 10, which is close to the 2022 and 2023 findings but higher than most high points noted over the 15-year study. According to the Gallup findings, the lowest point was 2008, when only 20% reported to be thriving. The median 2024 future life rating was 7.2 out of 10, which is actually a tick lower than the 2020 7.3 peak recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. As for those who rate their lives as "suffering," that number crested at 12% from 2012 to 2014, but accordingly, 2024 came in at its lowest point, at 7%.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Where Does The UK Rank In Happiness? This Report Paints A Grim Picture
This week, The World Happiness Report 2025 was released. This report is the world's foremost publication on global wellbeing and how to improve it. The researchers behind the report combined wellbeing data from over 140 countries, and provides essential insights into how we can create more happiness within our communitiies and nations. To explain their ranking, the researchers say: 'Our global happiness ranking is based on a single question from the Gallup World Poll, derived from the Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale (Cantril Ladder): 'Please imagine a ladder with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top. 'The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?' The report found that, despite the UK being the sixth richest nation in the world, we have fallen to 23rd place in global rankings. The US has also fallen to its lowest position, now sitting at 24th place. Meanwhile, Finland is reportedly the happiest place in the world for the eighth year in a row. Providing more context to their findings, the researchers say: 'Country rankings are based on a three-year average of each population's average assessment of their quality of life. 'Interdisciplinary experts from economics, psychology, sociology and beyond then seek to explain the variations across countries and over time using factors such as GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, a sense of freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption.' Those factors explain the differences across nations, but the rankings themselves are actually based solely on answers people have given when asked to rank their own lives. Quite a sorry tale for the UK. While this news isn't exactly uplifting, the overall findings from the researchers were surprisingly wholesome and give us attainable goals for rebuilding, as well as finding joy and comfort where we can. Lara B. Aknin, professor of social psychology at Simon Fraser University, and an editor of the World Happiness Report, says: 'Human happiness is driven by our relationships with others. Investing in positive social connections and engaging in benevolent actions are both matched by greater happiness.' Jeffrey D. Sachs, president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and a founding editor of the World Happiness Report, adds: 'The findings in this year's World Happiness Report reconfirm a fundamental truth: happiness is rooted in trust, kindness, and social connection. 'It is up to us as virtuous individuals and citizens to translate this vital truth into positive action, thereby fostering peace, civility, and wellbeing in communities worldwide.' Let's hope we can improve over the next 12 months. If You Struggle To Trust Strangers, This Report May Give You Some Hope The 'Happiness Paradox': Why Trying To Be Happy Is Making You Miserable 6 Habits That Make Your Kids Well, Not Just Happy — According to Psychologists
