Nearly 60% in U.S. say they are ‘thriving’ — highest in more than 13 years, poll finds
The number of Americans saying they are satisfied with their lives has reached a 13-year high, according to a new poll.
The Gallup poll released last week found the percentage of people in the United States who are considered “thriving” and the percentage who reported daily enjoyment have increased since earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic. Levels of stress and worry have also fallen as COVID19 pandemic restrictions are being lifted across the U.S.
The poll of 4,802 adults was conducted June 14-20 with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
It comes as the availability of COVID-19 vaccines has allowed for more businesses to reopen with fewer restrictions and for more Americans to return to at least some of their normal activities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that, as of Sunday, 67.6% of adults in the U.S. have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 58.8% are fully vaccinated.
“Beyond the vaccination rollout and improving economic conditions, though, is the critical psychological benefit of renewed social interaction,” Gallup says. “Reuniting in person with family and friends and joining in large gatherings of people such as at sporting events is a crucial part of social wellbeing.”
Gallup found that 59.2% of Americans surveyed are “thriving” — the highest percentage reported in over 13 years and exceeding the previous high of 57.3% reported in September 2017.
It’s up from 46.4% in late April 2020, when soaring COVID-19 cases led the U.S. to surpass 30 million unemployment claims, which is tied for an all-time high with November 2008, when the Dow Jones hit its lowest level during the Great Recession, Gallup says.
Gallup’s Life Evaluation Index is based on how Americans “rate their current and future lives on a ladder scale with steps numbered from 0 to 10.” Those who rate their current life at least a 7 and their future life at least an 8 are considered “thriving” in the poll.
While current life satisfaction has rapidly increased, anticipated life satisfaction has remained “elevated compared with pre-COVID levels,” the poll found.
Gallup found 69% of respondents rated their current life satisfaction between 7 and 10, up from a low of 56.9% in April 2020, while 70.5% rated their anticipated life satisfaction between an 8 and 10.