Patterns of National Flourishing: Multidimensional Clusters of Well-Being and Psychosocial Resources Across 22 Countries

TY - JOUR

T1 - Patterns of National Flourishing

T2 - Multidimensional Clusters of Well-Being and Psychosocial Resources Across 22 Countries

AU - Hill, Taylor

N1 - © The Author(s) 2026

PY - 2026/5/19

Y1 - 2026/5/19

N2 - National well-being reflects multiple psychological dimensions, yet cross-national research often relies on single indicators or economic proxies. Using two waves of the Global Flourishing Survey across 22 countries (Wave 1 N = 202,898; analytic sample N = 182,354), country-level profiles were identified based on nine indicators of well-being and psychosocial resources (happiness, life satisfaction, life worthwhileness, autonomy, competence, relatedness, gratitude, hope, life balance). Hierarchical and k-means clustering supported a three-profile solution in both waves. Profiles differed meaningfully in both well-being and psychosocial resources, revealing patterns not captured by GDP or geographic groupings. Several middle-income countries (e.g., Argentina, Philippines, Indonesia) exhibited high well-being and resource levels, whereas some high-income countries (e.g., Germany, Hong Kong) showed moderate profiles. Approximately 86% of countries maintained their profile across waves, with a minority shifting clusters, reflecting potential contextual change. These findings suggest that national flourishing reflects the interaction of economic, cultural, and psychosocial factors, highlighting the value of multidimensional approaches to global well-being.

AB - National well-being reflects multiple psychological dimensions, yet cross-national research often relies on single indicators or economic proxies. Using two waves of the Global Flourishing Survey across 22 countries (Wave 1 N = 202,898; analytic sample N = 182,354), country-level profiles were identified based on nine indicators of well-being and psychosocial resources (happiness, life satisfaction, life worthwhileness, autonomy, competence, relatedness, gratitude, hope, life balance). Hierarchical and k-means clustering supported a three-profile solution in both waves. Profiles differed meaningfully in both well-being and psychosocial resources, revealing patterns not captured by GDP or geographic groupings. Several middle-income countries (e.g., Argentina, Philippines, Indonesia) exhibited high well-being and resource levels, whereas some high-income countries (e.g., Germany, Hong Kong) showed moderate profiles. Approximately 86% of countries maintained their profile across waves, with a minority shifting clusters, reflecting potential contextual change. These findings suggest that national flourishing reflects the interaction of economic, cultural, and psychosocial factors, highlighting the value of multidimensional approaches to global well-being.

KW - well-being

KW - psychosocial resources

KW - cluster analysis

KW - culture

KW - Global Flourishing Survey

U2 - 10.1007/s11482-026-10610-w

DO - 10.1007/s11482-026-10610-w

M3 - Article

SN - 1871-2584

JO - Applied Research in Quality of Life

JF - Applied Research in Quality of Life

ER -