January 23, 2026 | 08:32 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto talked about a survey conducted by Gallup and Harvard University during his address at the World Economic Forum (WEF). According to him, the study identified Indonesia as the happiest and most flourishing nation in the world.
Prabowo expressed his own astonishment at Indonesia securing the top ranking. "Gallup Poll and Harvard University found that a research survey of hundreds of countries found that Indonesia, the Indonesian people are the happiest people, the most flourishing country in the world," Prabowo stated in English in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Prabowo remarked that the survey also characterized Indonesians as the most optimistic people. While heartened by the survey results, Prabowo admitted to also feeling a sense of sadness.
Prabowo explained his sorrow stems from the fact that many Indonesians still live in poverty. "Many of them live in shacks. Many of them do not have clean water. Many of them do not have a bathroom. Many of them eat rice with salt. Yet they smile. Yet they have hope," he noted.
Prabowo further expressed his commitment to resolving the issue of poverty across Indonesia. He stated his firm desire to achieve food self-sufficiency to meet the essential needs of the Indonesian people.
According to Prabowo, Indonesia successfully achieved rice self-sufficiency in 2025. He noted his goal to reach self-sufficiency in other food commodities, such as corn, sugar, and protein, within the next four years.
The study referenced by Prabowo at the WEF is the Global Flourishing Study, a collaborative research effort between Harvard University, Baylor University, and Gallup. The findings were published in the journal Nature Mental Health on April 30, 2025.
The research involved approximately 203,000 respondents across 22 countries on six continents. Researchers sought to understand the level of development and well-being within societies in various nations. They employed the term "most flourishing" to define countries that yielded the highest survey scores.
The research team utilized several assessment indicators, including spirituality, health, happiness, meaning in life, character, social relations, and financial resilience. Consequently, responses from those living in Indonesia indicated they were the most flourishing based on these metrics. Indonesia was followed in the rankings by Israel, the Philippines, and Mexico.
Prabowo's address at the WEF lasted approximately 40 minutes. During his special address, Prabowo shared the stage with the President and Chief Executive Officer of the WEF, Borge Brende.
In this year's WEF forum, various world leaders and prominent figures also delivered keynote speeches. In addition to Prabowo, the WEF stage featured heads of state such as French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Argentine President Javier Milei.
Read: Prabowo: Indonesia Never Fails to Pay Its Debts
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