Is this a convincing argument? Despite the doubters, rising levels of health, literacy and renewable energy suggest that things have never been better.
Now is the best EVER time to be alive
Is this a convincing argument? Despite the doubters, rising levels of health, literacy and renewable energy suggest that things have never been better.
The year 2025 is not going well. It began with massive wildfires in Southern California. Then, when Donald Trump became president, the US withdrew from the Paris climate agreement. Even the one bit of good news - the ceasefire in Gaza - looks fragile.1
But if you step back, things start to look different. According to one respected American columnist, now is the "best time ever to be alive".2
Here are four reasons why:
Child survival. Last year, a UN report found that child mortality - infants dying under the age of five - had reached record lows.3 In 2024, 96.4% of children survived their first years of infancy.4
Solar success. Last year, the EU generated nearly half its energy from renewableEnergy sources, such as wind and solar power. sources.5 Meanwhile, China broke records for installing renewable energy sources.6 Much of this energy comes from solar power, which is "accelerating faster than anyone thought possible".7
Slimming planet. In the past 50 years, the number of Americans who qualify as obeseFor adults, obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. A BMI of 25 or more is classed as overweight. has nearly tripled from 14.5% to 40.3%. But reports suggest the country has reached "peak obesity", as those numbers level off and even go into reverse.8
Record readers. Across the globe, the number of people who can read and write has reached new highs of nearly 90%.9
Why, despite this good news, does it often feel like the world is getting worse? According to the late Swedish statisticianAn expert in the preparation and analysis of statistics. Hans Rosling, people are too pessimisticTending to believe that the worst will happen.. The "vast majority" of humans think the world is poorer, unhealthier, and more dangerous than is actually the case.10
Critics call Rosling's worldview "Pollyanna-ish". This means having an optimistic outlook in the face of bad news, or even ignoring inconvenient facts to stay cheerful. Because plenty of data suggests the world is getting worse, like global carbon emissions, growing levels of inequality, and the possibility of population collapse.
Maybe the truth lies somewhere in between. Maybe the world is getting better and worse at the same time. Focus on the negative, and it is easy to feel defeated. But, when you focus on the positive, there is no better time than the present.
Is this a convincing argument?
Yes: Now is a great time to be alive. Rising levels of literacy, falling rates of obesity - when you ignore the news and look at the numbers, there are numerous reasons for hope.
No: From economic inequality to environmental damage, plenty of data suggests that the world is getting worse. Focusing on our problems is not pessimism but realism.
Or... The world is getting better and worse, depending on which numbers you pay attention to. But this is the only world we have, meaning people should make the most of the present moment.
Renewable - Energy sources, such as wind and solar power.
Obese - For adults, obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. A BMI of 25 or more is classed as overweight.
Statistician - An expert in the preparation and analysis of statistics.
Pessimistic - Tending to believe that the worst will happen.
Now is the best EVER time to be alive

Glossary
Renewable - Energy sources, such as wind and solar power.
Obese - For adults, obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or more. A BMI of 25 or more is classed as overweight.
Statistician - An expert in the preparation and analysis of statistics.
Pessimistic - Tending to believe that the worst will happen.