Well-being Ranking describes the successful use of ranking tools over large populations and the value of using multi-dimensional models of well-being and briefly explores the ideas used to make assessments of well-being at national levels.

Well-being Ranking describes the successful use of ranking tools over large populations and the value of using multi-dimensional models of well-being and briefly explores the ideas used to make assessments of well-being at national levels.

Shows the interconnections among the elements of well-being, how they cannot be considered independently, and provides readers with a research-based approach to improving all aspects of their lives.

Combining data on around four million respondents from the Gallup World Poll and the US Daily Tracker Poll we rank 164 countries, the 50 states of the United States and the District of Colombia on eight wellbeing measures. These are four positive affect measures - life satisfaction, enjoyment, smiling and being well-rested - and four negative affect variables - pain, sadness, anger and worry. Pooling the data for 2008-2017 we find country and state rankings differ markedly depending on whether they are ranked using positive or negative affect measures. The United States ranks lower on negative than positive affect, that is, its country wellbeing ranking looks worse using negative affect than it does when using positive affect. Combining rankings on all eight measures into a summary ranking index for 215 geographical locations we find that nine of the top ten and 16 of the top 20 ranked are US states. Only one US state ranks outside the top 100 - West Virginia (101). Iraq ranks lowest - just below South Sudan. Country-level rankings on the summary wellbeing index differ sharply from those reported in the World Happiness Index and are more comparable to those obtained with the Human Development Index.

In 150 years Italy transformed itself from a poor and backward country into one where living standards are among the highest in the world. In Measuring Wellbeing, Giovanni Vecchi provides an innovative analysis of this change by drawing on family accounts that provide engaging insights into life and are the "micro" data that create the foundations for the "macro" picture of variations and fluctuations in the development of Italy. Vecchi provides a nuanced account of the changes. He emphasizes that the concept of wellbeing is multidimensional and must include non-monetary aspects of life: nutrition, health and education, as well as less tangible elements such as freedom or the possibility to exercise one's political rights. The book deals with this polyhedral nature of wellbeing. Among the insights are that Italians succeeded in combining growth with equity, but that the gap between the North and South did not narrow; the while longevity has increased, education has not improved as much as it could have; and that for close to three decades, Italy's virtuous path has come to a halt: the wellbeing of the Italian people is at the crossroads between progress and decline. Measuring Wellbeing engagingly combines a unique dataset and an innovative statistical method that can be adapted to other countries.

The World Happiness Report reviews levels of happiness across developed and developing nations, and presents ranking tables on national and regional happiness.

The most rapid and significant phase of development occurs in the first three years of a child’s life. The Supporting Children from Birth to Three series focuses on the care and support of the youngest children. Each book takes a key aspect of working with this age group and gives clear and detailed explanations of relevant theories together with practical examples to show how such theories translate into good working practice. Children’s personal, social and emotional wellbeing has a huge impact on their overall development. Drawing on recent research, this book looks at what wellbeing means for the under threes in the light of key aspects of UK and international social policy and practically demonstrates how practitioners can support children in this area. Focusing on the home-setting partnership with parents, work attitudes, adult and child interaction and quality learning environment, the book explores the holistic role that adults play in supporting children’s individual personal, social and emotional needs. Features include: clear explanation of relevant theories case studies and examples of good practice focus points for readers questions for reflective practice Providing a wealth of practical ideas and activities, this handy text encourages explores all aspects of babies and toddlers’ wellbeing to help practitioners ensure effective outcomes for the youngest children in their care.