September 12, 2026

Where TimeCost country data comes from — and what WDI is

World Development Indicators → annual consumption per person → ÷12 ÷720. A macro reference, not a “typical person.”

World Bank WDI country data — TimeCost
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We could just say: “One hour of life in Germany costs X.” Then the fair question: Where did that come from? TimeCost country benchmarks use open macro data from the World Bank — World Development Indicators (WDI). We use household consumption: goods and services consumed by households in a country. Per-capita annual spending is converted to the same coordinates as personal TimeCost.

The formula

Formula
annual consumption ÷ 12 ÷ 720 = country benchmark / hour

Your personal result compares to money per hour — not an abstract annual table.

What it does not tell you

  • Not your salary.
  • Not rent in your city.
  • Not a median.
  • Not how much you “should” spend.

A macro average. Its job in TimeCost is modest: give your personal number context. TimeCost of €5 means little. Next to your country benchmark — much more interesting. Used for dozens of countries today — see the country index.

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Browse country benchmarks →