Scientists may be about to discover the secret to happiness in the largest study of its kind ever attempted
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It is a question that has eluded philosophers, scholars and scientists for thousands of years. But now, researchers might be close to finally discovering the true secret to happiness. Over 1,000 scientists from more than 70 countries have come together to lead the biggest happiness study ever attempted.
![[Previous studies like the World Happiness Report (pictured) are based on people's own assessment of their happiness, as well as economic and social data. What makes this study different is that it will use targeted interventions to see what measures improve happiness for people around the world]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/10/68897285-14241135-The_World_Happiness_Report_now_in_its_11th_year_is_based_on_peop-a-6_1735726522846.jpg)
At least 30,000 participants from around the globe will be recruited to take part in the 'Global Happiness Megastudy'. Each participant will be assigned a short, daily 'happiness intervention' ranging from quick yoga routines to making time to call a relative.
![[Each of the 30,000 participants will be assigned a short, daily 'happiness intervention' which range from a dose of high-intensity exercise to a 20-minute call with relatives (stock image)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/10/93640059-14241135-image-a-3_1735726479967.jpg)
By recruiting their subjects from a mixture of different backgrounds and nationalities, the researchers hope to find some universal trends that could expose the secret of what really makes humans happy. Professor Elizabeth Dunn, a psychologist from the University of British Columbia who is working on the study, says: 'Our goal is for this to be the largest, most comprehensive, most diverse experiment on happiness ever conducted.
![[An earlier study looking at small indigenous communities around the world (pictured) found that money might not be as important for happiness as had been thought as these areas ranked among some of the happiest in the world]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/10/80920325-14241135-Based_on_survey_of_2_966_people_from_Indigenous_and_local_commun-a-4_1735726514270.jpg)
'If we find things that are universally effective, or that are at least effective in certain places, and identify what kinds of places those are, or what kinds of people benefit, it will be a huge leap forward for the science of happiness.'. Scientists could be on the brink of discovering the secret to happiness as they prepare to launch the biggest study of its kind ever attempted (stock image).
![[A previous survey of 2,966 people from Indigenous and local communities in 19 locations across the globe, found that people were very happy despite having little to no money]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/01/10/80886589-14241135-A_previous_survey_of_2_966_people_from_Indigenous_and_local_comm-a-9_1735727430480.jpg)
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