By our Principal Economist Dr. Laura Galdikiene
As summer comes and the pace of life slows (at least a little), it’s a fitting time to ask one of the oldest – and most personal – questions: What do people truly want? A recent study of over 3,000 individuals sheds light on this question, and the results may surprise you – or not.
At the top of people’s priorities: family. “Your children’s health” leads by a wide margin, followed closely by family happiness and financial security. These priorities align with long-standing economic and philosophical thought: people seek stability, autonomy, and the wellbeing of loved ones above all. Physical and mental health, as well as close relationships, follow – while momentary happiness, work satisfaction, and social status fall notably lower. When facing real trade-offs, people tend to prioritize what sustains them, not what signals success.
When decisions involve real priorities, people consistently value what’s closest to home: family, health, and security – foundations that endure beyond the daily noise. As the summer approaches, it gives us something worth thinking about.
