A global well-being study co-conducted by Harvard University, Baylor University, and international polling agency Gallup, which was published on Thursday, May 1, 2025, concluded that Indonesia is ranked as the most flourishing nation in the world.

The study, which surveyed over 200,000 respondents across 22 countries − representing 64 percent of the world’s population − redefined well-being beyond traditional happiness indexes.

Instead of focusing solely on economic success or life satisfaction, the concept of flourishing encompasses comprehensive life fulfillment, including mental and physical health, sense of purpose, character and virtue, strong social ties, and material stability.

Despite not being among the world’s wealthiest nations, Indonesia stood out for its deeply rooted social values, community participation, and prosocial behaviors such as gotong royong (mutual cooperation), researchers said.

“Indonesia doesn’t stand out economically, but it excels in social relationships and character strengths that support community life,” said one of the researchers, as quoted by The New York Post, on Monday, May 5, 2025.

Indonesia was followed by Israel, the Philippines, Mexico, and Poland, while Japan was ranked the lowest, despite having the highest life expectancy. According to the report, Japanese respondents often lacked close social relationships − a critical indicator in the flourishing index.

The United States ranked 12th, with the study suggesting that high-income nations often experience deficits in meaningful connections and community engagement, compared to their developing counterparts.

The report also highlighted that routine group activities, such as religious gatherings, play a significant role in boosting well-being and social fulfillment.

“We are not suggesting that wealth or longevity are unimportant,” Brendan Case, one of the study’s authors, said. “But our findings indicate that there may be hidden costs in the path of development.”

The researchers called on global policymakers to rethink the direction of economic growth, urging them to balance material development with investments in human values, such as purpose, virtue, and relational well-being.