Acts of kindness are not only good for those on the receiving end—they may be a life-changing secret to well-being for the giver, according to new research from the 2025 World Happiness Report and a surge of scientific studies over the past decade (CNBC). The findings, relevant for every society—especially in times of lingering post-pandemic uncertainty—show that benevolent acts such as volunteering, donating, and helping strangers are consistently linked to higher life satisfaction, improved mental and physical health, and even longer lives.
This global analysis builds on the growing field of positive psychology and well-being science, linking everyday kindnesses with measurable boosts in individual and national happiness. The World Happiness Report’s 2025 edition goes so far as to say that believing in the kindness of others predicts greater personal happiness than doubling one’s income and more than offsets negative effects from hardships like unemployment or health crises (World Happiness Report). For Thai society—where traditions like “nam jai” (น้ำใจ, the spirit of generosity), community volunteering, and Buddhist merit-making have deep cultural roots—these scientific discoveries resonate strongly but also highlight areas for growth in an increasingly individualised era.
Between 2017 and 2019 and through the Covid-19 pandemic, the frequency of kind acts worldwide rose sharply. While some of this “pandemic benevolence” has since receded, the global rate of helping strangers in 2024 remains 18% above pre-pandemic levels, and overall acts of kindness are still more than 10% higher than before the crisis (Greater Good Magazine). These increases are not trivial: happiness researchers say they have counteracted some of the loneliness, fear, and social divide that otherwise might have followed COVID-19’s global impact.
Expert perspectives from the latest research clarify several key points. Acts of kindness—whether spontaneous or planned, public or private—have what well-being scientist and World Happiness Report editor, the director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, calls a “dynamic and virtuous cycle.” Not only does helping others boost the recipient’s life satisfaction and trust in the community, but also provides equally robust well-being gains for the giver. “People consistently and universally underestimate the kindness of others,” one editor remarks. Yet, kindness “happens more often than people realize”—and these acts directly contribute to better health, reduced depression and anxiety, and a heightened sense of life purpose (CNBC; CNN).
The science behind these benefits covers multiple domains. Meta-analyses have demonstrated that engaging in prosocial behaviour—giving money, volunteering time, or offering help—triggers neural circuits and hormonal responses associated with pleasure and reward. This is apparent even in very young children; research cited in the World Happiness Report finds that toddlers as young as two show clear signs of joy and satisfaction after sharing or helping (World Happiness Report, 2025). These positive effects extend well into older adulthood, where those who regularly contribute to community or family report better health outcomes and even longer lifespans than their less benevolent peers.
Interestingly, experts point out that it’s often the expectation of kindness, and not just the actual receipt of it, that drives well-being (Greater Good Magazine). A unique “lost wallet” experiment included in the World Happiness Report asked respondents: “If you lost a wallet containing money, would it be returned if found by a neighbour, a stranger, or a police officer?” Believing a stranger would return a lost wallet is a powerful indicator of trust in society and predicts greater happiness—more so than most economic or safety measures. Pessimism about community kindness, by contrast, creates an “empathy gap” that suppresses life satisfaction and erodes social trust.
Thailand’s cultural fabric provides fertile ground for such findings. Thai traditions teach children from a young age to “rak khun” (รักษ์คุณ, appreciate kindness) and show “kathin” (กฐิน, the annual Buddhist robe-offering ceremony), and temple donations are woven into everyday life. During crises, as in the floods of 2011 and the COVID-19 pandemic, communities came together for grassroots relief efforts—demonstrating the nation’s longstanding commitment to “nam jai” spirit. Yet, as expert sociologists and psychologists from leading Thai universities note, rapid urbanisation, rising income inequality, and social media echo chambers have sometimes undercut everyday expressions of kindness and trust among strangers. Many youth, especially in Bangkok, report increased stress and isolation despite the country’s reputation for friendliness (Bangkok Post).
International studies highlight three main ways kindness most powerfully improves well-being: direct connections, voluntary choice, and clear positive impact. Social psychologists refer to these as the “Three Cs”: connecting with others (for example, volunteering as a group rather than alone, or sharing a meal instead of simply offering money), exercising free choice (helping because one wants to, not from obligation), and witnessing the impact of one’s actions (seeing the difference made, or knowing the recipient personally). Brain-imaging studies reveal that the “warm glow” of giving is greatest when all three Cs are present (World Happiness Report, 2025).
For Thai society, these insights offer both validation and direction. Buddhist teachings, which place huge emphasis on “tham boon” (ทำบุญ, making merit) and altruism, are shown to have scientific backing—acts of merit-making, donations, and community volunteering all increase life satisfaction. But the findings suggest that acts must be meaningful and personal; simply offering alms without genuine intention or being forced to volunteer may provide limited happiness returns. Volunteering that is freely chosen, or donations where the impact is visible (such as sponsoring the education of a known child or helping a local community), yield the greatest benefit for both giver and receiver.
Recent health and education studies in PubMed reinforce these claims. In one umbrella review, volunteering and helping others were associated with reductions in mortality risk and improvements in both subjective well-being and mental health (Can we increase the subjective well-being of the general population?). Large-scale population studies have also shown that societies where community kindness is the norm experience less inequality in happiness, as benevolence acts as a buffer for those facing difficulties such as job loss, illness, or discrimination (World Happiness Report). Thai experts from organisations such as the Mental Health Department have long campaigned for community-based mental health, emphasising the healing power of group support and peer-led initiatives.
However, warning signs remain. Despite rising acts of kindness during the pandemic, follow-up surveys show some retreat back toward individualism as societies “normalise,” and rising digital engagement can, paradoxically, isolate rather than connect people. Data from the World Happiness Report also highlight gaps between perception and reality: while 60% of lost wallets are returned by strangers globally, only 30% of people expect they would be (CNN). This pessimism, experts say, must be addressed through public education and community action—showcasing real stories of Thai benevolence, integrating community service into school curricula, and promoting intergenerational activities.
History offers clues to embedding kindness more deeply in the national psyche. Thai folktales from the Ramakien and local legends valorise selflessness, courage, and humble service. Modern-day heroes—public health workers, village volunteers, or teachers in remote schools—continued this legacy through the pandemic, stepping up with little expectation of reward. These stories, say cultural commentators, should be celebrated not only in national media but also in everyday life, from classrooms to corporate workplaces.
Looking forward, the implications for Thai readers and institutions are profound. At the policy level, experts urge integrating structured opportunities for giving and volunteering into education and workplaces, echoing suggestions from the World Happiness Report for company-sponsored staff volunteering days and community partnership programmes (World Happiness Report, 2025). Corporate social responsibility initiatives, if made participatory and impactful, could help bridge trust and happiness gaps in urban areas, while rural communities might benefit from more targeted support for local volunteers and grassroots networks.
For individuals and families, the lessons are both simple and rewarding: making time for acts of kindness—whether as small as sharing food, helping an elderly neighbour, or taking part in a community clean-up—can be transformative both for personal mood and broader community health. Parents and educators can reinforce these habits in the next generation by valuing voluntary over mandatory service, focusing on real connections, and encouraging children to see the tangible good their actions produce.
Research also encourages reframing perceptions: regularly reminding oneself and others of real acts of community kindness can close the “empathy gap” and foster a more trustful, bonded society. Social media, often a source of negativity, can be repurposed to spread positive stories and model acts of benevolence.
Looking ahead, experts see grounds for optimism. Although happiness inequality—gaps between the happiest and least happy—has risen globally, studies show that in societies where kindness is trusted and visible, this gap narrows. Believing in and witnessing generosity blunts the impact of economic or social adversity for society’s most vulnerable, a message that holds particular meaning as Thailand faces challenges from economic transition and social change.
In conclusion, the new wave of happiness science affirms centuries-old Thai wisdom: kindness benefits everyone, not just on a spiritual or moral level, but also in concrete, measurable terms of health, longevity, and fulfilment. To move from insight to daily life, the call to action is clear for Thai readers: make giving a regular, chosen, and meaningful part of everyday routine. Look for opportunities to connect through group volunteering or simple gestures, shift family and workplace culture to appreciate and celebrate “nam jai,” and consciously track and amplify the good in your community. The individual—and societal—rewards, the science confirms, are immense.
For those seeking to deepen the impact, recommended steps include joining a local volunteer group, practicing daily acts of kindness (from courteous driving to sharing meals), supporting transparent and impactful charities, and intentionally refocusing on the positive stories within one’s own neighbourhood or online communities.
As Thailand moves deeper into the post-pandemic era, anchoring national recovery and community health in the proven power of kindness may be the most reliable—and universally accessible—development strategy of all.
Sources: CNBC | World Happiness Report 2025 | CNN | Greater Good Magazine | PubMed umbrella review