Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but studies show it can help you flourish

All five African countries surveyed – Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania – were ranked in the top six most forgiving nations.

By: Richard G. Cowden, Harvard University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 24, 2026

Words: 1,045

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

Body Text Preview

By Richard G. Cowden, Harvard University

Being hurt by others is common and can be deeply painful. How we respond can affect our individual and collective well-being. Which raises the question of forgiveness.

In the last few decades, researchers have helped us better understand how people experience forgiveness and how it influences our lives. The Global Flourishing Study seeks to enrich this knowledge from a more global perspective. Launched in 2021, the study …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us