Where Hope Thrives: Demographic Variation in Hope across 22 Countries

Victor Counted (), Katelyn N. G. Long, Richard G. Cowden, Charlotte V. O. Witvliet, Cristina Gibson, Alicia Cortright, Emily Purcell, James Walsh, William Hathaway, Fernando Garzon, Byron R. Johnson and Tyler J. VanderWeele
Additional contact information
Victor Counted: Regent University, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Katelyn N. G. Long: Harvard University, The Human Flourishing Program
Richard G. Cowden: Harvard University, The Human Flourishing Program
Charlotte V. O. Witvliet: Belmont University , Belmont Formation Collaborative
Cristina Gibson: Pepperdine University, Graziadio Business School
Alicia Cortright: Wisconsin Lutheran College, The Meros Center
Emily Purcell: Regent University, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
James Walsh: The Agency Fund
William Hathaway: Regent University, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Fernando Garzon: Regent University, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Byron R. Johnson: Harvard University, The Human Flourishing Program
Tyler J. VanderWeele: Harvard University, The Human Flourishing Program

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2026, vol. 27, issue 1, No 5, 30 pages

Abstract: Abstract This cross-national study explores self-rated hope across diverse national and demographic contexts, aiming to bridge the gap in understanding its variability and influence on human flourishing. Utilizing the Global Flourishing Study dataset from 22 countries (N = 202,898) and employing random effects meta-analysis, we explore the cross-national variations in self-rated hope across various sociodemographic factors, including age, gender, marital status, employment, religious service attendance, education, and immigration status. Our findings reveal considerable variations in levels of hope across countries, and some notable differences across demographic groups, highlighting unique individual and societal differences within countries. Pooled across countries, older individuals generally reported slightly higher levels of hope compared to younger individuals; levels of hope were slightly higher among individuals who were married, employed, or had higher levels of education. Of the various demographic factors examined, the largest pooled differences concerned religious service attendance, with those attending religious services more than once a week reporting considerably higher hope levels across multiple countries. However, patterns do vary across countries which underscores how the concept of hope varies and is shaped across geographical and cultural contexts. These insights enhance our understanding of hope as a dynamic construct that is shaped by the places and contexts in which people live, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive approaches in fostering hope and human flourishing.

Keywords: Hope; Cross-cultural; Spatial hope; Flourishing; Global flourishing study; Psychological wellbeing; Self-rated hope (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-025-00981-6

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