“What makes life meaningful” varies from country to country, but one single factor is the most frequently mentioned.
In February of 2021 the Pew Research Center surveyed 16,254 adults in 17 countries chosen as “advanced economies”.
It is tempting to draw some sweeping conclusions from these results. They are presented primarily to start you thinking about the question and its importance or lack of importance for you.
In the United States, the following open-ended question was asked of 2,596 adults:
“We’re interested in exploring what it means to live a satisfying life. Please take a moment to reflect on your life and what makes it feel worthwhile – then answer the question below as thoughtfully as you can:
What about your life do you currently find meaningful, fulfilling or satisfying? What keeps you going and why?”
Some respondents said they did not understand the question, did not know how to answer, or did not want to answer. Of the 17 countries, the US had the highest percentage in this category: 23%. Spain had the lowest percentage: 1%.
Across all 17 countries, “family” is the single most cited factor. Included in this are quality time spent with their kinfolk, the pride they get from the accomplishments of their relatives and even from the desire to live a life that leaves an improved world for their offspring. People identify “others” in their life as a source of meaning.
Occupation and career, and material well-being are the second and third most cited factors, respectively.
Compared to the other 16 countries, Americans:
Are much more likely to mention religion as a source of meaning in their lives.
Are more likely to mention something negative in their response, usually referring to society in general or where they live.
Compared to the other 16 countries, the US ranks:
14th in citing “work” as a source of meaning in their life. Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea had lower rankings.
9th in citing “education and learning” as a source of meaning in their life.
1st in citing “service and civic engagement” as a source of meaning in their life.
15th in citing “physical and mental health” as a source of meaning in their life. Singapore and Taiwan had lower rankings.
2nd in the percentage of people mentioning something negative. Only one country – Italy – was more negative.
16th in the percentage of people mentioning something positive. Only one country – Greece – had a lower percentage of people mentioning something positive.
Take a few minutes and consider how you would have answered the question.
In subsequent pages we will elaborate on this when we consider how the ideas of “meaning” and “purpose” can fit into one’s life.
Achieving financial independence is not a prerequisite to leading a meaningful life, but it has one very important benefit – it will give you opportunities to explore possibilities that you likely would never otherwise have had.