I do agree that per-capita GDP can not help in answering such question. I don't know much about the Netherlands. Would be interesting to look at countries in the Scandinavia, more especially at the time when many Americans despise welfare economic models. One thing I am sure about though is that very few Americans are richer that the poorest Norwegians. You don't even need to look at the GDP weird statistical graphs. You only need to go to Norway an witness for yourself.