The World Happiness Report

The 2022 World Happiness Report came out this week. One noteworthy takeaway: the world saw an increase in donations, volunteering, and helping strangers.

The top line is North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Click on the image to go to this exact section of the report.

"Although our three measures of prosocial behaviour - donations, volunteering and helping strangers - had differing levels and trends, all showed increases in 2021 in every global region, often at remarkable rates not seen for any of the variables we have tracked before and during the pandemic.

Global benevolence, as measured by the average of the three measures of prosocial behaviour, has increased remarkably in 2021, up by almost 25% of its pre-pandemic level, led by the helping of strangers, but with strong growth also in donations and volunteering.

The COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020 has led to a 2021 pandemic of benevolence with equally global spread. All must hope that the pandemic of benevolence will live far beyond COVID-19. If sustainable, this outpouring of kindness provides grounds for hope and optimism in a world needing more of both."

I'm hopeful and optimistic. We've seen similar outpourings or prosocial behavior in response to the war in Ukraine.

Spring Break

I am wrapping up a week in Utah with my wife, two daughters, and several families we’ve known for a long time.

It’s been nice to turn off the world of the past two years.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

-Michael

Michael Sklar

Showing the complex and curious every Saturday. | www.sklarinterests.com

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