Why we measure
what we measure
Beyond GDP is an open educational resource exploring the alternatives to the world's most influential — and most misunderstood — economic statistic.
Measurement shapes
what we pursue
When a government measures success by GDP, it pursues policies that raise GDP — even when those policies make people less healthy, less happy, or less secure. When Bhutan measures success by Gross National Happiness, it pursues different policies entirely.
The choice of measurement is not a technical question. It is a political and philosophical one. What counts? What doesn't? Who decides?
Beyond GDP exists to make this conversation accessible to everyone — because these decisions affect all of us, and most people have never been invited to participate in it.
Plain language, always
Every article on this site is written for someone without an economics background. No jargon without explanation. No acronyms without definition. If a concept requires a PhD to understand, we haven't explained it well enough yet.
Evidence-based, not ideological
We cover the full spectrum of GDP alternatives — from mainstream UN indices to radical political frameworks. We explain each measure on its own terms, with its own limitations. We don't advocate for one approach over others.
Real-world grounded
Every measure we cover is either in use by a government, an international organisation, or a serious research body. This isn't a collection of utopian theories. These are frameworks that real policymakers are using right now.
Open and free
Beyond GDP is an open educational resource. All content is freely accessible. We believe understanding how progress is measured is too important to be locked behind a paywall.
A 90-year
warning ignored
"The welfare of a nation can scarcely be inferred from a measurement of national income."
Robert F. Kennedy put it even more bluntly in 1968: GDP "measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile." Both men were right. The question is why it took the world another half-century to start building alternatives.
Simon Kuznets presents the first national income accounts to the US Congress — and immediately warns they should not be used as a measure of welfare.
The Bretton Woods conference makes GDP the standard measure of economic output for all IMF and World Bank member countries.
Robert F. Kennedy delivers his famous speech: "GDP measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile."
King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan coins the term "Gross National Happiness" as an alternative governing philosophy.
The United Nations publishes the first Human Development Report, introducing the Human Development Index.
French President Sarkozy convenes the Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi Commission, concluding that GDP is a flawed measure of progress.
New Zealand introduces the world's first Wellbeing Budget, structuring government spending around human wellbeing priorities.
Amsterdam becomes the first city to officially adopt Doughnut Economics as its guiding policy framework.
Primary sources
and further reading
Everything on Beyond GDP is grounded in primary sources. Here are the key organisations, reports, and tools we draw from.
UNDP Human Development Reports
Annual reports and HDI data from the United Nations Development Programme.
International OrganisationOECD Better Life Index
Interactive wellbeing comparison tool across 41 countries.
International OrganisationGross National Happiness Centre, Bhutan
The official body overseeing GNH measurement and policy in Bhutan.
GovernmentDoughnut Economics Action Lab
Kate Raworth's organisation supporting cities and communities in applying Doughnut Economics.
ResearchNew Economics Foundation — Happy Planet Index
The research behind the Happy Planet Index and sustainable wellbeing.
ResearchWellbeing Economy Alliance
The global network supporting the transition to a Wellbeing Economy.
Civil SocietySt. Louis Fed — Beyond GDP
Accessible explainer on three alternative economic health measures.
Central BankGenuine Progress Indicator — Maryland
Maryland's official GPI tracking page — the first US state to adopt it.
GovernmentReady to explore?
Start with any of the eight measures — each article takes under 10 minutes to read.