
Debate on new economic indicators
Social and quality of life indicators could be considered as new indicators of gross domestic product.
IF – 06/2019
Gross
domestic product (GDP) as an economic indicator provides information on the
overall economic performance of an economy over a period of time. Therefore,
GDP has long been criticised for not reflecting people’s needs or the
challenges facing society as a whole. Accordingly, new indicators are to be
introduced such as change management, better communication on scientific
findings and, above all, the commitment of civil society to measuring the
well-being of citizens and the progress of society.
These
approaches were the subject of a public debate held in June 2019 by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and its
Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO).
It
was agreed that improving the quality of life and social progress are among the
most important objectives of policy making. Scientists from different fields
should work much more closely together in the future to develop new indicators.
EESC members therefore also called for better communication on scientific evidence
and developments.
The
current social and quality of
life indicators that are already available are
not part of the standard policy-making process. Nevertheless, new indicators
should be developed. Examples would be the measurement of child poverty in
relation to parental income or the involvement of citizens in policy making. These
could be additional important indicators of citizens’ well-being.
It
is also difficult to find common indicators for social security. Citizens play
a key role in creating indicators beyond GDP that are also realistic. The support
of organised civil society in this endeavour would be very helpful.