According to a new Global Flourishing Study conducted by Harvard University and Baylor University, Indonesia has officially been named the most flourishing nation in the world. Over a five-year period, researchers collected data from 240,000 people across 22 countries, analyzing a wide spectrum of indicators—from economic and political to psychological, spiritual, and social well-being.

Participants hailed from nations as diverse as the U.S., Germany, Japan, Brazil, and South Africa, but it was Indonesia—a middle-income, developing country—that came out on top. Following closely behind were Israel, the Philippines, and Mexico.

Now, as someone who already owns property in Bali and has spent a fair bit of time observing life here, I can say this result doesn’t surprise me at all. While Indonesia may not have the GDP numbers of the U.S. or Germany, what it does have is something far more sustainable: deeply rooted family values, a profound sense of community, optimism about the future, and a rhythm of life that benefits both mental and emotional health.

The most important conclusion of the study? Wealth alone doesn’t make a country thrive. National prosperity, it turns out, isn’t measured by stock indexes or average income. It’s about how people feel—about themselves, their relationships, and their future.

From the rice fields of Ubud to the surf towns of Lombok, I’ve seen this flourishing firsthand. In a world chasing more, Indonesia seems content in having enough—and that may be the real wealth after all.