At a time when many countries are racing to achieve high incomes, advanced technology, and fast-paced living standards, a global finding has flipped this common logic. Indonesia, a nation often categorized as a middle-income economy still battling inequality, has emerged as the most flourishing country in the world.
This finding comes from the Global Flourishing Study (GFS), an international study that evaluates human well-being in a comprehensive way, and its results place Indonesia far above many advanced economies.
GFS is a collaborative research project by Harvard University, Baylor University, and Gallup. Published in Nature Mental Health, the study surveyed more than 200,000 respondents across 22–23 countries over five years.
Its focus is not income or material living standards, but holistic well-being: how people find meaning in life, build social relationships, maintain their health, and cultivate character and purpose.
Indonesia at the Top of the World
According to the report, Indonesia scored an average of 8.3–8.47 out of 10 on the flourishing index. This puts Indonesia in the number-one position globally, outperforming countries such as Israel, the Philippines, Mexico, and Poland. Meanwhile, the United States ranks 12th, the United Kingdom 20th, and Japan falls to the bottom of the list.
The findings are considered surprising because they challenge a longstanding assumption: that wealthy countries inevitably have the highest levels of well-being. The study instead shows that financial indicators alone do not guarantee a sense of happiness, health, or social connectedness.
What Is “Flourishing”?
The flourishing concept used by Harvard includes five key dimensions:
- Happiness and life satisfaction
- Mental and physical health
- Meaning and purpose
- Character and moral virtues
- Strong social relationships
These five aspects are measured to understand whether individuals feel their lives are meaningful, guided, and of high quality, going far beyond economic metrics alone.
Why Is Indonesia Leading the World?
Researchers attribute Indonesia’s high flourishing score to the strength of its communities and deeply rooted spiritual and social values. Around 75 percent of Indonesian respondents reported attending weekly religious activities, practices that foster belonging, shared purpose, and emotional grounding.
At the community level, traditions such as gotong royong (mutual cooperation), neighborhood gatherings, and frequent social interaction serve as key elements that reinforce interpersonal bonds.
In an op-ed for The New York Times, Harvard researchers noted, “Indonesia is often viewed as stuck in the so-called middle-income trap… However, our findings suggest that economic growth isn’t the only measure of a society’s success.”
The findings reinforce the idea that countries that have not yet reached high-income status can still excel in social well-being.
A Contrast with High-Income Countries
Several wealthy nations recorded low scores in meaning, social connection, and prosocial behavior. The study shows that prosperity does not automatically create a sense of belonging or purpose.
In many high-income countries, factors such as social isolation, mental fatigue, public distrust, and political polarization weaken flourishing levels.
Japan, for example, despite its reputation for technological excellence and strong health standards, ranks at the very bottom. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom show a significant decline in social trust and mental health.
Younger Generations Are Struggling
Another striking finding is the lower flourishing scores among people aged 18–29. Researchers point to factors such as economic uncertainty, mental health challenges, social isolation, and turbulent political conditions as contributors to declining well-being among young people globally.
This trend diverges from the typical “U-curve” of happiness, which usually shows well-being increasing with age.
Implications for Indonesia
These results signal to policymakers that human development cannot rely solely on economic growth. The flourishing index can serve as an additional benchmark for national progress, especially for mental health, social relationships, character quality, and people’s sense of purpose.
The GFS underscores a fundamental message: true well-being is not defined by purchasing power or accumulated wealth, but by the degree to which people feel their lives are meaningful, connected, and holistically healthy.
In this context, Indonesia demonstrates that happiness and purpose can thrive even amid economic challenges.
Indonesia may not be the richest nation, but according to the latest global data, it is among the most “alive” in the truest sense of the word.
