Should we be more cheerful? The media often suggests that the world is getting worse, but if we look again we can find plenty of reasons for optimism.
The news is terrible... but the truth is good
Should we be more cheerful? The media often suggests that the world is getting worse, but if we look again we can find plenty of reasons for optimism.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Optimistic statistics</h2>
Do you think the world is getting better or worse? That question was asked to thousands of people in 17 different countries. In the UK, just 4% thought things were improving.
Psychologists call this "declinism". It is the tendency to think the past was better and the future will be worse.
It is easy to find facts that support this idea. Bad news dominates the front pages, from war and political crises to climate change and the cost of living.
But here are eight statistics showing that things can get better:
Surviving childhood Over the last two centuries, the chances a new-born child will survive have increased from 50% to 96%.1
Food for all The risk of dying from famineA widespread scarcity of food. has dramatically decreased, even as the global population has increased.2
Education for girls In total, 50 million more girls have been enrolled in school since 2015.3
Flourishing forests The global area of planted forest increased by more than 10% between 2010-2020.4
Clean cash Global investment in clean energy reached $1.7 trillion a year, against just $1 trillion for fossil fuels.5
Electric engines Sales of electric cars have grown from 55,000 in 2011 to seven million in 2021.6
Miracle cures In 2023, there were medical breakthroughs in the treatment of RSVA contagious virus that causes cold-like symptoms. , sickle cell diseaseA group of inherent disorders that cause unusually shaped red blood cells in sufferers. , Alzheimer's diseaseA progressive disease that causes brain damage over time. It is a common cause of dementia. and morning sicknessNausea during pregnancy. .7
Saving the seas The year 2023 also saw a new treaty signed by UNUnited Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security. members, agreeing to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.8
So why do people still feel pessimistic? One reason might be that our brains are designed to worry about bad things happening.
But critics are also right to point out the risk from nuclear conflict or another pandemic. And it is sensible to be aware of the changes that will be caused by AI or climate change.
However, it is also easy to exaggerate these risks in our mind. This is especially true in the modern world, when you can receive live updates online on almost every bad thing that is taking place.
Taking a more positive view does not mean ignoring every problem. Instead, it means paying attention to the good news as well as the bad. The glass is half empty and half full.
Should we be more cheerful?
Yes: From girls' education to clean energy investment, once you search beyond the headlines, there are enough reasons to feel optimistic about the future.
No: Looking at the risk of AI or the latest climate science, it is hard to feel hopeful. But worrying about the future makes it more likely that humans will survive.
Or... To say that progress is being made does not mean that everything is good. People can recognise society's achievements, while still working to improve the world.
Famine - A widespread scarcity of food.
RSV - A contagious virus that causes cold-like symptoms.
Sickle cell disease - A group of inherent disorders that cause unusually shaped red blood cells in sufferers.
Alzheimer's disease - A progressive disease that causes brain damage over time. It is a common cause of dementia.
Morning sickness - Nausea during pregnancy.
UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.
The news is terrible… but the truth is good

Glossary
Famine - A widespread scarcity of food.
RSV - A contagious virus that causes cold-like symptoms.
Sickle cell disease - A group of inherent disorders that cause unusually shaped red blood cells in sufferers.
Alzheimer's disease - A progressive disease that causes brain damage over time. It is a common cause of dementia.
Morning sickness - Nausea during pregnancy.
UN - United Nations. An intergovernmental organisation based in New York that aims to maintain international peace and security.