Acts of kindness surged during the Covid-19 pandemic, remaining 10% above pre-pandemic levels. The World Happiness Report suggests this trend may continue.

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During the Covid-19 pandemic, the world witnessed a surge in acts of kindness, leading to what researchers are calling a “benevolence bump.” This increase in generosity has persisted, with levels of charitable acts remaining more than 10% higher than before the pandemic. The latest World Happiness Report, conducted in 2024, revealed that various acts of kindness, such as donating and volunteering, became more common across all generations and in almost all global regions, although there was a slight decrease from the peak in 2023.

Helping strangers, in particular, saw a substantial uptick, with an average increase of 18% compared to pre-pandemic times. Professor Lara Aknin, a social psychology expert and one of the report’s editors, noted a significant rise in the number of people reporting instances of helping strangers in 2020, a trend that has persisted. She speculated that the pandemic may have heightened people’s awareness of the needs of others, leading to greater acts of kindness as individuals felt a heightened sense of communal responsibility.

Looking ahead, Aknin suggested that the data in the following years would provide more insights into whether this trend of benevolence would continue. She expressed optimism, pointing out the potential for an ongoing cycle of altruism and improved well-being resulting from the emotional gratification derived from helping others.

The report highlighted the surprising longevity of the increased levels of benevolence observed since 2020, with the post-Covid era still showing a 10% increase in generous acts by 2024. The World Happiness Report, a renowned survey conducted across over 140 nations by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, Gallup, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, serves as a comprehensive measure of global well-being trends.

One key insight from the report was the tendency for people to underestimate the kindness of others. A study involving dropped wallets across 40 countries revealed that wallets were returned at a higher rate than expected, especially if they contained money. This finding underscores the importance of social trust and community care in fostering happiness and well-being.

A notable revelation from the research was the positive impact of sharing meals with others on overall well-being. Across various regions worldwide, individuals who often shared meals with others reported higher levels of life satisfaction and social support. However, a concerning trend of increasing solitary dining, especially among young people, has emerged, contributing to the decline in happiness rankings in some countries, such as the US.

In terms of happiness rankings, Nordic countries dominated the list, with Finland securing the top spot for the eighth consecutive year. Costa Rica and Mexico also made significant strides, entering the top 10 for the first time. On the other hand, the US and the UK experienced drops in their rankings, with the US falling to its lowest-ever position at 24th place.

The report also highlighted a shift in global happiness trends, with Western industrial countries, including Switzerland, Canada, and Australia, dropping out of the top 10. This decline in happiness, coupled with decreasing social trust in certain regions like Europe and the US, has contributed to rising political polarization and anti-system sentiments.

In conclusion, the World Happiness Report urges a reevaluation of factors influencing well-being beyond traditional metrics like health and wealth. Emphasizing the importance of communal dining and trust in fostering happiness, the report underscores the need for social connection and mutual support in combating social isolation and political divides for the betterment of individual and collective well-being.

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