Gallup, the world’s leading analytics and advisory firm, has partnered with The Art of Living Foundation to launch what they’re calling a first-of-its-kind global study on meditation and wellbeing. By incorporating new meditation-focused questions into the Gallup World Poll — one of the most comprehensive surveys of human experience on the planet — the initiative aims to create the most detailed global picture of meditation practice ever assembled.
Why This Study Matters
While meditation has surged in popularity over the past decade, reliable data on how people practice worldwide remains surprisingly scarce. Most existing studies focus on specific populations, often in Western countries, making it difficult to draw global conclusions about who meditates, how often, and what benefits they experience.
The Gallup World Poll changes that equation. Since 2005, it has conducted nearly 4 million interviews across more than 140 countries, covering topics from economic confidence to emotional health. Adding meditation to this infrastructure means researchers will be able to compare meditation practices and their correlations with wellbeing across vastly different cultures, economies, and health systems.
A Timely Investigation
The study arrives against a backdrop of concerning global mental health trends. Gallup’s own State of the World’s Emotional Health report revealed that 39% of adults worldwide regularly experience worry, while 37% report significant stress. These numbers have remained stubbornly elevated in recent years, driving increased interest in accessible, low-cost interventions like meditation and mindfulness practice.
For the yoga and meditation community, the partnership represents a potential turning point. Hard data from a respected, independent research organization could provide the kind of evidence that influences policy decisions, workplace wellness programs, and healthcare guidelines. If the study demonstrates strong correlations between regular meditation and improved emotional health outcomes, it could accelerate the integration of meditation into mainstream public health strategies.
12.1 Million Meditate Together
The announcement coincided with a remarkable demonstration of meditation’s global reach. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living, led what organizers described as the world’s largest collective meditation event, with 12.1 million participants joining from 150 countries. While such numbers are difficult to independently verify, the event underscored the sheer scale of interest in meditation practice worldwide.
When to Expect Results
Gallup plans to release the study’s findings on World Meditation Day in December 2026. The results are expected to provide insights that could inform public policy, reshape education systems, and strengthen the case for workplace wellbeing programs that include meditation and mindfulness components.
For practitioners and teachers, the study represents something many have long hoped for: rigorous, large-scale evidence from a globally respected institution that could validate what millions already experience on their mats and cushions every day. Whether you’re a longtime meditator or someone who’s been curious about starting a practice, the coming months promise to add significant weight to the conversation about meditation’s place in modern life.
