A quick glance at the headlines might make it seem like we are experiencing the worst time in human history—wars, poverty, climate change, and devastating natural disasters dominate the news cycle.

However, Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker, in a recent video shared by the World Economic Forum, urges us to take a step back. He reminds us that not everything is doom and gloom—and in many ways, humanity is better off than ever.

Life Expectancy, Wealth, and Safety Have Improved

“Life expectancy at birth is higher than ever before. For most of human history, it was around 30 years. Today, globally, it is around 70—and even higher in the developed world.”

Pinker points out that, despite a growing global population, extreme poverty rates are at an all-time low. Additionally, the world has become a safer place, with homicide rates declining over recent decades. And while happiness levels vary by country, overall, we are happier than in the past.

But Progress Isn’t Linear

Of course, not all progress is evenly distributed—and setbacks still occur.

“Deaths from wars have increased in recent years due to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, conflicts in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Gaza. We’ve erased 30 years of progress, bringing us back to where we were in the early 1990s. However, the situation is still better than in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, or 80s—not to mention the World Wars.”

Democracy Has Come a Long Way

While democracy faces challenges today, Pinker argues that it is in better shape now than in previous decades.

“In the 1970s, there were only 33 democratic countries. Half of Europe was under communist dictatorships. Most of Latin America was ruled by military regimes. Spain and Portugal had near-fascist governments. Today, all these countries are democratic.”

Why Does the News Feel So Negative?

If things are getting better, why do the news and social media make us feel like the world is falling apart?

Pinker explains that journalism naturally highlights sudden events—and bad news tends to be immediate, while progress is slow.

“A single terrorist attack or mass shooting becomes global news. But the fact that a country didn’t experience such violence isn’t a headline—so you never hear about it.”

So, while today’s world still faces major challenges, Pinker reminds us to zoom out and look at the bigger picture—humanity has come a long way.