Report: A new set of indicators to complement GDP in the assessment of wellbeing
An expert group appointed to consider how to describe the state of the Finnish society proposes that a new set of indicators be developed to improve the assessment of wellbeing. The indicators should paint a comprehensive picture of citizens' wellbeing and its sustainability. Prime Minister Katainen's Government Programme is committed to the expert group recommendations. This will enable to provide decision-makers and citizens with focused and up-to-date information on wellbeing in Finland.
According to the expert group, any one indicator, such as the most common reference GDP, is an insufficient basis for decisions on wellbeing. In addition to economic prosperity, there are other factors, such as health, meaningful employment and clean environment, that affect citizens’ wellbeing. The aim of a new set of indicators is to provide a more comprehensive picture of citizens’ wellbeing than GDP. A separate survey will be conducted to assess citizens’ views on the relevance of the chosen indicators.
To improve access to information on wellbeing, the Prime Minister’s Office and Statistics Finland should, in addition to the new indicators, develop their joint Findicator.fi service as a main portal to wellbeing information. The user-friendliness of the service is to be improved as well. The indicators will be maintained as part of the Findicator.fi service.
In addition to statistical information, there should be wider public and expert-level discussion on the factors that affect wellbeing and our society’s ecological, social and economic sustainability. Expert forums, chaired by the Prime Minister, can serve this purpose – particularly when they provide an opportunity for citizens to debate the same themes in the social media.
In addition to recommendations, the report includes an overview of the state of wellbeing assessment in Finland and internationally.
Work on the introduction of a more wide-ranging development indicator to complement GDP was launched by Mari Kiviniemi’s Government and the expert group responsible for the related preparation was appointed by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Inquiries: Jukka Pekkarinen, State Under-Secretary, Economic Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 9 160 22171 or Ulla Rosenström, Senior Specialist, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 9 1602 2353