NEW: We asked adults across 17 advanced economies what they value in life. From family to material well-being and health, here’s what they said: (THREAD 1/) pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
From analyzing people’s answers, one source of meaning is predominant: family. In 14 of 17 advanced economies surveyed, more mention their family as a source of meaning in their lives than any other factor. 2/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
Publics are also largely united in the relative emphasis placed on careers and occupations. Jobs are one of the top three sources of meaning for people in most places surveyed, though the emphasis placed on them can vary widely. 3/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
Many highlight the importance of having basic financial needs met (or even having some level of luxury) to lead a meaningful life. In nine of 17 publics surveyed, material well-being is one of the top three factors people cited. 4/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
Health, too, is relatively top of mind, coming up as one of the top three sources of meaning for people in around a third of the places surveyed. Still, the relative emphasis on health can vary widely, from 48% who mention it in Spain to only 6% who say the same in Taiwan. 5/
The topic of faith, religion and spirituality is also one where some societies notably differ. Outside of the U.S., religion is never one of the top 10 sources of meaning cited – and no more than 5% of any non-American public mention it. 6/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
Younger people tend to emphasize their friends, education and hobbies as sources of meaning more so than older people. Those who are older (ages 65+) are more likely to discuss retirement and health than younger people. 7/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
Those who place themselves on the ideological left are more likely to cite nature as a source of meaning than those who place themselves on the right. They are also more likely to mention their friends and hobbies, whereas those on right mention religion more often. 8/
In most respects, men and women are quite similar regarding what gives them meaning. But women are somewhat more likely to mention family and health as sources of satisfaction in their lives than are men in most places surveyed. 9/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
Though references to the family or children are far more common, some people specifically mention their spouse or romantic partner as an important source of meaning, or make some sort of reference to marriage, dating or romantic love in general. 10/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
Although not commonly mentioned in any of the surveyed publics, pets are a source of meaning for 4% of adults in New Zealand and for 3% of Americans, Australians and Britons. 11/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
Some bring up the area where they live or their broader society as a source of meaning. These references include mentions of the social services available to them, the state of the economy and any patriotic or nationalistic sentiments. 12/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
These are just a few findings from our survey of nearly 19,000 adults across 17 advanced economies. Read our new report for more: 13/ pewresearch.org/global/2021/11…
Check out our new interactive to see detailed, rich quotations provided by respondents around the world on what gives them meaning: 14/14 pewresearch.org/global/interac…
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