The GNH.today Index: Measuring Real-Time Happiness

Johannesburg Business School AI Institute

The GNH.today index, a global happiness measurement tool, tracks real-time emotional sentiment based on Google search trends. This innovative index was developed by:

  • Prof. Talita Greyling (University of Johannesburg)
  • Dr. Stephanie Rossouw (Auckland University of Technology)
  • Afstereo, a data-driven research firm

Initially launched in April 2019, the index was built using X (formerly Twitter) data. However, after continuous development, researchers found that Google search data provides a more accurate reflection of national happiness trends.

📊 How It Works:
🔹 Analyzes emotion-related keywords in Google searches.
🔹 Provides near real-time happiness scores.
🔹 Helps policymakers and researchers understand public sentiment shifts.

The index has been presented at global forums in Luxembourg, Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), and France, gaining international recognition as a tool for analyzing societal mood changes.


U.S. Happiness Surges on Trump’s Inauguration Day

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Despite Mondays typically being low-scoring days for happiness, Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, saw U.S. happiness levels rise to 7.63, a rating usually observed on weekends.

According to Prof. Talita Greyling, the rise in happiness can be attributed to several factors:

✔️ Political Celebrations – Trump’s supporters viewed his return to power as a major victory.
✔️ Economic Optimism – Announcements regarding job creation, trade policies, and border security reassured many Americans.
✔️ Psychological Relief – Many voters felt their political aspirations had been validated, driving emotional uplift.

Comparison of Happiness Levels on U.S. Inauguration Days

Inauguration YearHappiness Score (GNH Index)
2025 (Trump)7.63 (higher than usual for a Monday)
2021 (Biden)7.55
2017 (Trump)7.48
2013 (Obama)7.61

📌 Key Takeaway: Trump’s 2025 inauguration produced one of the highest happiness spikes recorded on U.S. inauguration days in recent years.


South Africa’s Happiness Decline: The Impact of a National Tragedy

While U.S. happiness surged, South Africa experienced a sharp decline, reflecting national distress over the Buffelsfontein gold mine disaster.

Key Factors Behind the Drop

🔹 Mining Disaster – Over 78 fatalities were confirmed after hundreds of illegal miners were trapped underground in Stilfontein.
🔹 Economic Concerns – South Africans worried about the ripple effects of Trump’s trade protectionist policies, particularly on developing economies.
🔹 Political Disconnection – Unlike the U.S. political excitement, South Africans saw little direct impact from the inauguration, further dampening sentiment.

Happiness Index Comparison: U.S. vs. South Africa (January 20, 2025)

CountryHappiness Score (GNH Index)Primary Influence
United States7.63Trump’s inauguration & economic optimism
South Africa6.52Mining tragedy & global trade concerns

📌Takeaway: While the U.S. saw an emotional uplift, South Africa faced a significant decline in national happiness, driven by domestic tragedy and economic uncertainty.