Who says you need to live in a super-rich country to be truly happy and flourish? A recent global study challenges this assumption.
In a report titled the Global Flourishing Study, Indonesia was named the country with the highest level of "flourishing" in the world—a concept that goes far beyond wealth and life expectancy.
What Is Flourishing?
"Flourishing" refers to a state in which all aspects of a person's life are going well, not just fleeting happiness, but true, holistic well-being.
In a study conducted by researchers from Harvard and Baylor universities, over 200,000 people across 22 countries—collectively representing 64% of the global population—were surveyed over a five-year period. The results were surprising: Developing nations often outperformed their wealthier counterparts in areas that are frequently overlooked.
Unlike annual happiness reports, such as the World Happiness Report, that mainly measure life satisfaction, this study takes a broader approach.
Well-being was assessed based on seven key indicators: physical and mental health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, social relationships, economic security, spiritual well-being, and overall life satisfaction.
These indicators are combined into a single measure called the Flourishing Index.
Indonesia at the Top
It earned the highest overall score of 8.3 out of 10, outperforming 21 other countries included in the study. Other top performers included the Philippines, Mexico, and Poland.
So, why did Indonesia come out on top?
While it may not stand out economically compared to developed nations, Indonesia is known for its strong social bonds, deeply rooted culture of mutual support (gotong royong), and enduring communal values.
Remarkably, three out of four Indonesians report attending religious services at least once a week, which is an indicator of strong social cohesion and community belonging.
According to researchers, this sense of shared purpose and social connection plays a major role in Indonesia’s high flourishing score. In short, although Indonesia is often labeled as "stuck" in the global middle-income bracket, this study shows that true well-being cannot be measured by GDP or life expectancy alone.
Wealth Doesn’t Always Equal Happiness
Another surprising finding: some of the world’s wealthiest nations actually ranked near the bottom of the list. One country even came in last, mainly due to a lack of meaningful social connections among its population.
The study revealed that while people in developed countries may enjoy greater financial security, they often experience a lack of deep relationships, a diminished sense of life purpose, and a tendency toward individualism.
Researchers concluded that there appears to be a “hidden cost” to development models that focus too heavily on material growth. In many cases, essential human needs, such as connection, meaning, and moral values—are pushed aside in pursuit of economic advancement.
Are Young People Flourishing Less?
One particularly striking insight from the study was related to age and well-being. In the past, happiness was thought to follow a U-shaped curve—high in youth, dipping during middle age, and rising again in older adulthood.
But today, people aged 18 to 29 actually report the lowest flourishing scores compared to all other age groups. Factors like loneliness, economic uncertainty, lack of direction, and social or political instability are believed to be contributing to this trend.
Money Isn’t Everything
Through this large-scale global study, the researchers urge us to view well-being in a more holistic way, not just through an economic lens. Indonesia offers a compelling example: social values, a strong sense of community, and a meaningful life can serve as the true foundations for genuine well-being.
Perhaps it’s time we stop measuring a nation’s success by economic numbers alone.
