Moving beyond GDP
How do you measure the wealth of a nation? Is the modern world too focused on economic growth at all costs? There are some who say that countries should move beyond measuring their success as an increasing Gross Domestic Product (which is the total wealth produced in an economy in a year). Instead, they should look at some other factors, such as the pollution caused, waste, how people are treated and how the wealth is distributed; and countries should be mindful that they share this planet.
An interesting case in point is Bhutan, which has a Gross National Happiness index. In focusing on promoting the happiness of its people, Bhutan has tried to move away from the international competition of who is wealthier. Bhutan actively seeks to harmonise its economic growth with protecting the environment, and is, indeed, one of the few net negative carbon countries in the world.
The call to move beyond GDP is not limited to a few fringe environmental fanatics: the call comes from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and several influential persons. In January 2026, the UN held a conference in Geneva titled ‘Beyond GDP’ which was attended by senior economists from around the world. The aim was to help devise a new dashboard of measures of economic success that takes ‘human wellbeing, sustainability and equity’ into account.
This reminds us of the quote by Cameron: ‘Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted’. Sometimes it is the intangibles in life which are much more important than dollars and cents.
