The influence of kindness on social trust and happiness
Belief in the kindness of others is much more closely tied to happiness than previously thought, and it is often underestimated. This is one of the outcomes of this year’s World Happiness Report.
Global evidence from the “wallet test” (a test that measures the perceived and the actual return of lost wallets) shows that people are much too pessimistic about the kindness of others compared to reality. Actual rates of wallet return are around twice as high as people expect.
The report shares other interesting results, for example:
- Sharing meals with others is strongly linked with wellbeing across the globe
- Household size is closely linked to happiness
- Social disconnection is increasing among young adults
- Declining happiness and social trust in the US and parts of Europe combine to explain the rise and direction of political polarisation and anti-system votes
Find out more about the “wallet test” and the other results and find the ranking of the world’s happiest countries in the World Happiness Report 2025.
So - how could you encourage acts of kindness in your organisation...?
Interested in more stories like this? Sign up to our monthly newsletter.
The influence of kindness on social trust and happiness
Belief in the kindness of others is much more closely tied to happiness than previously thought, and it is often underestimated. This is one of the outcomes of this year’s World Happiness Report.
Global evidence from the “wallet test” (a test that measures the perceived and the actual return of lost wallets) shows that people are much too pessimistic about the kindness of others compared to reality. Actual rates of wallet return are around twice as high as people expect.
The report shares other interesting results, for example:
- Sharing meals with others is strongly linked with wellbeing across the globe
- Household size is closely linked to happiness
- Social disconnection is increasing among young adults
- Declining happiness and social trust in the US and parts of Europe combine to explain the rise and direction of political polarisation and anti-system votes
Find out more about the “wallet test” and the other results and find the ranking of the world’s happiest countries in the World Happiness Report 2025.
So - how could you encourage acts of kindness in your organisation...?
Interested in more stories like this? Sign up to our monthly newsletter.
The influence of kindness on social trust and happiness
Belief in the kindness of others is much more closely tied to happiness than previously thought, and it is often underestimated. This is one of the outcomes of this year’s World Happiness Report.
Global evidence from the “wallet test” (a test that measures the perceived and the actual return of lost wallets) shows that people are much too pessimistic about the kindness of others compared to reality. Actual rates of wallet return are around twice as high as people expect.
The report shares other interesting results, for example:
- Sharing meals with others is strongly linked with wellbeing across the globe
- Household size is closely linked to happiness
- Social disconnection is increasing among young adults
- Declining happiness and social trust in the US and parts of Europe combine to explain the rise and direction of political polarisation and anti-system votes
Find out more about the “wallet test” and the other results and find the ranking of the world’s happiest countries in the World Happiness Report 2025.
So - how could you encourage acts of kindness in your organisation...?
Interested in more stories like this? Sign up to our monthly newsletter.
