Over the past decade, the world has started to realize the limitations of using traditional metrics, such as gross domestic product (GDP), life expectancy and employment numbers, to gauge people's wellbeing and progress within society. None of these measures the quality of people's lives -- or, worse, they mismeasure it.
As part of the movement to expand the study of people's wellbeing beyond traditional indicators, Gallup and the Wellbeing for Planet Earth Foundation joined forces several years ago to develop a globally inclusive measurement of wellbeing. Together, through the Global Wellbeing Initiative, they are asking the world new questions that are not only transforming how people think about wellbeing but also laying the foundation for future research.
At its core, the initiative seeks to answer more questions than just how someone feels on a given day. For example, how important is balance to someone's overall wellbeing? How often do people feel content? Do people enjoy the work they do every day? Do people feel connected to nature? Are people able to deal with life's challenges?
In this article series, read some of the initiative's most recent findings on the different facets of wellbeing around the world.
