Are We Thriving, or Just Getting By?
While reading a recent column by David Brooks in The New York Times, I came across a striking paradox: globally, more people say they’re thriving than ever before—yet in some of the wealthiest nations, the trend is moving in the opposite direction. Brooks drew on Gallup’s latest survey and the Global Flourishing Study to explore why, and his reflections sparked my own.
t made me wonder: what does it really mean to thrive, and why do places with high living standards sometimes feel less alive?
A recent Gallup survey asked people in 142 countries how they felt about their lives—whether they were thriving, struggling, or suffering. The results were surprising:
Globally, more people say they’re thriving than ever before. Only 7% report suffering—the lowest level since 2007. And the gains aren’t confined to one region. Countries as diverse as Kosovo, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and Paraguay all report significant increases in well-being.
But here’s the twist: in some of the wealthiest nations—America, Canada, much of Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand—the trend is headed the other way. In 2007, 67% of Americans and Canadians reported thriving. Today, that number is down to 49%.
We still enjoy higher absolute living standards, but our sense of well-being is sliding. Why?
The Holy Trinity of Thriving
True flourishing rests on three pillars:
1. Economic health – having enough resources to live securely.
2. Social connection – being part of a supportive network of relationships.
3. Spiritual meaning – living with a clear sense of purpose.
When these three work together, societies tend to thrive. But in many wealthy nations, the first pillar remains strong while the other two crumble. We’ve gained in GDP and wages but lost in social trust, community engagement, and spiritual grounding.
What the Data Reveals
The Global Flourishing Study shows that some countries—like Israel and Poland—score well across all three pillars. Others, such as Japan and the Scandinavian nations, rank high economically but lower in purpose and meaning. Meanwhile, places like Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines excel socially and spiritually even without the same economic abundance.
The pattern is clear: nations doing well are those improving living standards while preserving traditional social and value systems. Wealthy nations that prioritize economic growth at the expense of connection and meaning are seeing declines.
A Wisdom Ratio Perspective
The data confirms what The Wisdom Ratio has long emphasized: a meaningful life isn’t built on economic success alone. Thriving requires a deliberate balance—wealth, relationships, and purpose in proportion.
When one pillar grows while the others weaken, life feels out of alignment. This imbalance is why even materially comfortable people can feel they’re “just getting by.”
Questions to Consider
- Am I investing as much in relationships and purpose as I am in career or finances?
- Do I feel connected to my community?
- What would thriving look like for me—not just materially, but socially and spiritually?
The answers may not change global trends, but they can change your life’s trajectory.
