Reading news headlines, it’s easy to get pessimistic about the state of world affairs. On nearly a daily basis, there are reports of violence, tragedies, division and injustice. As Christians, this should be concerning, and it should prompt us to take action to help those who are suffering.
But, we must also remember that we are called to hope. And part of that hope is recognizing not only the bad news, but also celebrating the good news.
Yes, we should stay vigilant, fight injustice and seek new ways to serve those in need in help. But fear, pessimism and misplaced outrage are the wrong approach to taking action. Instead, we are called to have “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
After all, redeeming brokenness is what Jesus was all about.
Here’s a look at 10 actual stats that show why we should be hopeful about our future. They aren’t reasons to be complacent about problems or issues facing communities around the world; but they’re reminders of how far we’ve come, and how much further we need to go.
1. Commitment to Jesus in the U.S. Hit a 10-Year High
After years of decline, faith engagement in the U.S. is rising again. Research from Barna shows that 66 percent of American adults now say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus that remains important in their lives, a 12-point increase since 2021 and the highest level recorded in a decade.
The growth is especially notable among younger adults and people outside traditional church structures, suggesting renewed spiritual openness during a season marked by uncertainty and cultural fatigue.
2. You Are Living in the Most Peaceful Time in Human History
Despite ongoing wars and global instability, long-term data offers a surprising perspective. Even as the world’s population has reached historic highs, individuals today are statistically less likely to die from an act of violence than at any other point in human history.
When viewed across centuries, rates of violent death have declined significantly, reflecting broad reductions in warfare and interpersonal violence. That context does not minimize present suffering, but it does show sustained progress over time.
3. Global Poverty Reached Historic Lows
Extreme poverty remains a serious global challenge, but the long-term trend points toward improvement. According to the World Bank, the share of people living in extreme poverty has fallen dramatically since the early 1990s, even as the global population has grown.
While the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reversed progress, economists began seeing signs of stabilization again in recent years. The World Bank has set a goal of eliminating extreme poverty by 2030, raising the possibility that future generations may never experience it at scale.
4. Global Hunger Is on the Decline
Food insecurity remains a major concern, but long-term data shows progress. According to the United Nations, about 200 million fewer people are malnourished today than 25 years ago. Several countries once at high risk of famine have made substantial gains over the past decade through improved agriculture, humanitarian aid and economic development.
The progress has not been linear, and climate and conflict continue to disrupt food systems. Even so, the overall trend reflects decades of sustained effort.
5. Infant Mortality Rates Have Never Been Lower
One of the most striking indicators of global health progress is child survival. A World Health Organization report shows the global child mortality rate fell 59 percent between 1990 and 2022, dropping from 93 deaths per 1,000 live births to 37.
That decline reflects expanded access to vaccines, improved maternal care, stronger health systems and better sanitation, saving millions of lives worldwide.
6. The Global Literacy Rate Is at a Historic High
Today, about 87 percent of the global population can read and write. In 1957, the global literacy rate stood at just 66 percent.
Hundreds of millions still lack basic literacy skills, particularly in underserved regions. Still, expanded access to education has opened doors to economic opportunity, civic participation and long-term stability for billions of people.
7. The Ozone Layer Is Healing
In a rare environmental success story, scientists confirm the ozone layer is on track to recover in the coming decades. The improvement is largely credited to the Montreal Protocol, a global agreement that phased out ozone-depleting chemicals beginning in the late 1980s.
The steady recovery stands as one of the clearest examples of international cooperation producing measurable environmental results.
8. Renewable Energy Overtook Coal for the First Time in 2025
For the first time in history, renewable energy generated more electricity globally than coal. According to energy research group Ember, solar and wind power together produced more electricity worldwide than coal, marking a significant shift in the global energy mix.
The transition is still underway, but the milestone signals a structural change in how the world generates power.
9. The Bible Is Becoming More Accessible Than Ever
Access to Scripture continues to grow. Portions of the Bible have now been translated into more than 3,658 languages, reaching communities that previously had no access in their native tongue.
Translation organizations are increasingly using artificial intelligence to accelerate the process, helping bring Scripture to remaining language groups faster than traditional methods allowed.
10. Billions Have Gained Access to Clean Drinking Water
Global access to safe drinking water has improved dramatically over the past few decades. Since 1990, an estimated 2.6 billion more people worldwide have gained access to clean drinking water. Between 2000 and 2020, the share of the global population with safely managed drinking water rose from 62 percent to 74 percent.
Since 2000, the number of children who died from waterborne illnesses has been cut in half, improving health outcomes across entire regions.
