Let’s work together to create a happier world
The Happier Lives Institute connects donors, researchers, and policymakers with the most cost-effective opportunities to increase global wellbeing.
Using the latest subjective wellbeing data, we identify the problems that matter most to people and find evidence-based ways to solve them.
The Happier Lives Institute connects donors, researchers, and policymakers with the most cost-effective opportunities to increase global wellbeing.
Using the latest subjective wellbeing data, we identify the problems that matter most to people and find evidence-based ways to solve them.
Measuring what matters
Most people agree that happiness matters.
You might think it is the only thing that matters.
Over the last 30 years, pioneering academics in economics, philosophy, and psychology have tested and developed reliable measures of happiness and life satisfaction.
Today, large population surveys allow us to measure and track wellbeing across the world. We can stop relying on measures of wealth or health as our best guess for how people’s lives are going.
But what is wellbeing and how can we measure it?
You can make a difference
The cost-effective interventions we’ve identified may surprise you.
Our research shows that treating depression in low-income countries is four times more cost-effective than providing direct cash transfers.
Our latest news and research
Stealing Happiness? The wellbeing cost-effectiveness of NEPI, preventing crime with cash and cognitive behavioural therapy
Explore our cost-effectiveness analysis of NEPI's innovative programme combining cash transfers and CBT to reduce crime in Liberia. With strong RCT evidence showing significant benefits to both recipients and the wider community, we estimate 22 WELLBYs per $1,000 donated. Read the report to learn how this promising intervention improves wellbeing and reduces criminality over the long term. Read more
Does improving parenting practices in childhood lead to happier adults?
The experiences we have as young children are widely recognized as having lasting impacts in later life. Supporting parents to engage with their children shows clear short-term developmental benefits and may have profound long-term effects on wellbeing, as well as health and achievement later in life. This report evaluates icddr,b's Reach Up parenting programme. Download and read the report to explore the Happier Lives Institute’s cost-effectiveness analysis, measuring the programme’s ... Read more
Toxic Cosmetics: A shallow evaluation of Pure Earth advocacy against leaded cosmetics in Ghana
There can be toxic levels of lead in all sorts of surprising products, including cosmetics. Lead exposure poses a health burden comparable to malaria and HIV but receives less than 0.1% of their funding, despite being a tractable issue with historically successful advocacy efforts. This report evaluates the cost-effectiveness of a Pure Earth intervention aimed at reducing lead exposure from cosmetics in Ghana. The programme involves two years of advocacy and data collection, followed by ... Read more
