In an unprecedented fall, the US drops out of the top ten of the 2012 Legatum Prosperity Index. The new edition of the index also includes 32 new entrants, bringing the total number of countries to 142 and extending the Prosperity Index coverage to 96% of the world’s population and 99% of global GDP.

LONDON (24 July, 2012) The Legatum Institute is establishing a high-level Commission to examine the policy implications of wellbeing research. The Commission on Wellbeing Policy will be chaired by Gus O'Donnell who, until late 2011, was the UK Cabinet Secretary, the highest-ranking official in the Civil Service.

Through a series of multi-disciplinary conferences and papers, the project will explore policy options that support and advance healthy, free and prosperous societies.