Big Mac Index shows Americans have greater purchasing power than most Europeans

Using the Economist's Big Mac Index, the average American worker can buy about 10,215 Big Macs a year after taxes—roughly 23 minutes of work per burger—far more than French, German, or British workers, with Switzerland and Australia close behind; the index tracks wages, local prices, and hours worked, showing Americans are wealthier on this measure but not without caveats.