Going beyond GDP: An OECD Perspective*

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents some of the main features of recent OECD work on people's well‐being and societies' progress. After discussing the main limitations of GDP as a measure of ‘welfare’, the paper presents the multidimensional framework and rationale underpinning the OECD Better Life Initiative, and describes how this framework aims to overcome the limitations of GDP. The paper also presents some of the evidence from the OECD ‘Better Life Index’, an interactive tool that allows citizens to compare countries according to their own views and preferences on the relative importance of the different aspects of human well‐being.