Prosperity in a nation extends far beyond the size of its economy. While GDP measures economic output, true prosperity reflects whether citizens enjoy good health, quality education, personal freedoms, strong institutions, economic opportunities and a cohesive society.
This broader perspective is captured in the 2026 Legatum Prosperity Index, which ranks 167 countries using a new methodology designed to ensure that strengths in one area cannot fully compensate for weaknesses in another.
The index assesses countries across three broad domains: Development (how developed a country is), Freedom (the degree of personal, economic and institutional freedom), and Society (the strength of social relationships and institutions).
Together, these domains are measured through ten pillars covering areas such as health, education, living conditions, governance, investment environment, economic freedom, safety and social capital.
Unlike previous editions, the 2026 index introduces what Legatum calls "p-averaging," a new mathematical approach that penalizes countries with significant weaknesses in any major area.
