8 Mind-Blowing Facts That Prove Humanity is on the Rise

In a world flooded with negative news, it’s easy to lose sight of the tremendous progress humanity has made. Here are eight facts that will surprise and inspire you, backed by data and historical insights.

1. Life Expectancy Has More Than Doubled

From an average of about 30 years two centuries ago, global life expectancy now exceeds 70 years. This leap is due to advances in medicine, sanitation, and nutrition, saving billions of lives.

2. Child Mortality Has Plummeted

Child deaths before age five have dropped from nearly 30% in developed countries to less than 1%, thanks to vaccines and public health.

3. Famines Are Now Rare

Where famines once devastated populations regularly, modern agriculture and food distribution have made starvation uncommon in most regions.

4. Economic Growth Has Multiplied Wealth

The global economy is over 100 times larger than 200 years ago, driven by specialization, markets, and innovation.

5. Violence Has Declined Dramatically

Homicide rates and war deaths have fallen by orders of magnitude, with peaceful societies becoming the norm.

6. Literacy Rates Have Soared

Global literacy jumped from under 20% to over 85%, empowering billions through education.

7. Intelligence Scores Are Rising

The Flynn effect shows IQ scores rising about 3 points per decade, reflecting better education and environment.

8. Happiness Depends on More Than Money

While income helps meet basic needs, social connections, freedoms, and purpose are key to well-being.

These facts reveal a powerful narrative: despite challenges, humanity is on a path of continuous improvement. Embracing reason, science, and humanism can help us navigate future obstacles and build a brighter world.

Sources: Enlightenment Now, Human Progress, Roots of Progress, Amazon summaries 1 4 3 2