Residents of Poor Countries Have a Great Advantage: Religion

January 27, 2014

Research Finding 
Residents of Poor Countries Have a Great Advantage: Religion
Sample size and analysis : 
An analysis of polling data from 132 nations shows that religious belief appears to be the main reason why people in poor countries see greater meaning in life than residents of wealthy countries .  

Among the nations with the highest sense that life has meaning are Niger Republic , Sierra Leone, Togo, Ethiopia, Laos, and Ecuador. 
Possible Reason : 
By connecting daily experiences with a coherent belief system, religion plays a critical role in helping people construct meaning out of extreme hardship ! 
Research Conducted by :  Shigehiro Oishi of the University of Virginia and Ed Diener of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
SOURCE: Residents of Poor Nations Have a Greater Sense of Meaning in Life Than Residents of Wealthy Nations