For decades, nations have debated what makes a country “number one.” Some argue it’s about stockpiling gold and natural resources. Others believe it’s about building the largest arsenal of weapons. Still others imagine skyscrapers and vast lands as symbols of greatness. But the truth is simpler—and more profound. A nation’s true strength lies not in how much its people work, but in how wisely they work, how fairly they earn, and how well they live. Recent data from the OECD and Our World in Data shows India topping the G20 in annual working hours: 2,383 hours per worker per year. Yet, paradoxically, India still struggles with poverty, inequality, and limited social protections. Meanwhile, countries like Germany, France, and Japan work far fewer hours but enjoy prosperity, innovation, and high quality of life. This contrast raises a critical question: Why do developed countries work less but prosper, while India works more yet remains poor? Why Developed Countries Work Les...