Media and research tend to focus on social problems in today's world - from terrorism and natural disasters to environmental degradation, conflict and economic decline. Yet many countries are also placing the promotion of well-being central at the heart of their social agenda. So what can we say about human progress and the development of civilization? This book considers the brighter side of our world today by exploring the ways in which wellbeing is on an upward swing globally.

Systematically considering indicators of human well-being in terms of economics, health and education, alongside subjective notions of wellbeing, the book draws together research and data from around the world. It uses the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index as an underlying framework from which to examine the ways in which wellbeing has improved since WWII. Analysing leading scholarship and empirical work allows the authors to determine policy recommendations for how we might continue to build a better world of human wellbeing.

By Richard J. Estes and M. Joseph Sirgy

Foreword, Harry Halloran / Preface / List of Tables, Charts, and Figures / PART I: Historical Understanding of Well-Being / 1. Introduction / 2. A Brief History of Well-Being and Its Meaning for Humanity / PART II: Sectoral Analysis of Well-being Worldwide / 3. Gains in Health Well-Being Worldwide / 4. Gains in Economic Well-Being Worldwide / 5. Gains in Educational Well-Being Worldwide / PART III: Toward a More Positive Future / 6. Policies That Work