What does it truly mean to live a good life? According to psychological scientists like Victor Counted, the answer lies in “flourishing”—a richer, more holistic concept of well-being that goes beyond wealth. Drawing from data across 40 African nations, Counted’s research reveals that many Africans thrive in meaning, social ties, and character, even amid economic hardship. Countries like Nigeria and Kenya score highly when financial factors are excluded from the metrics, showing that well-being can be deeply rooted in community and cultural values. Counted concluded that, by embracing local knowledge systems and rethinking development metrics, Africa could lead the way in redefining global progress—not in terms of GDP, but through dignity, purpose, and connectedness.
The Conversation
