Indonesia has taken the lead in a global prosperity ranking, outperforming some of the world’s richest nations, including the United States. The surprising result came from the Global Flourishing Study conducted with support from Harvard, which redefines what prosperity means in today’s world.
As reported by the New York Post on Monday, May 5, 2025, the study involved over 200,000 adults aged 18 and above, spanning 22 countries and one region. Data collection occurred from March 21, 2022, to April 12, 2024, through face-to-face interviews, phone calls, and online surveys.
Instead of focusing solely on economic factors, the study measured flourishing based on six core dimensions: happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose in life, moral character and virtue, close social relationships, and financial and material security. The goal was to capture a more complete picture of human well-being.
Indonesia emerged as the top performer of global prosperity rangkings, despite not being a high-income country. Its strongest points came from social bonds and active community involvement—areas that greatly influenced its high overall score.
The study found that Indonesians, though facing economic and structural challenges, tend to have strong community networks and a deep sense of social connection. These qualities contributed significantly to the country’s high ranking.
Mexico followed in second place, with the Philippines, Israel, Nigeria, and Argentina completing the top group. These results highlight that prosperity does not always depend on financial wealth.
Read also: Santerra De Laponte, a Viral Tourist Destination in Greater Malang with 34 Rides!
In fact, many countries that scored highly have relatively low per capita income. What sets them apart is their strong sense of community and connectedness—elements that the study recognized as essential to living well.
Meanwhile, the United States, a nation known for its wealth and global influence, ranked 12th. Despite its economic success, mental health struggles among teenagers and weakening community ties dragged down its overall prosperity score.
The study noted that the emphasis on individualism in the U.S., combined with limited social interaction, plays a significant role in reducing the population’s sense of flourishing.
This research emphasizes that true prosperity is not just about material riches. A healthy society is one where people feel connected, supported, and engaged in their communities.
Countries with lower income but stronger social bonds often report higher well-being. This suggests that policies focused on strengthening community relationships could be more effective than purely economic growth strategies when it comes to improving quality of life.
Indonesia’s rise to the top of this global ranking offers a powerful insight: prosperity begins not just with money, but with people—how they relate, care, and connect with each other.
