Gender Splits - Happy Planet Index

NEW: The 2026 Happy Planet Index is live

HPI by Gender

Are there systematic differences between the HPI scores of men and women? We addressed this question in 11 countries for which we were able to disaggregate data on all three components of the HPI.

The first chart shows that, in all 11 countries, women have higher HPI scores than men, sometimes over 8 points higher.

The remaining charts reveal how these differences are a result of women having higher life expectancies and lower ecological footprints. Differences in self-reported wellbeing are negligible.

The HPI 2026 report explores why men have larger ecological footprints. It also goes further by exploring the effect of the gender of prime ministers and presidents on national HPI scores.

Happy Planet Index

Women Men

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