Index
Health, Happiness and Wellness Index
A "health, happiness, and wellness index" is a composite measurement that aims to assess an individual or population's overall well-being by considering multiple factors related to physical health, mental happiness, and lifestyle choices, often encompassing elements like life satisfaction, stress levels, diet, exercise, social connections, and overall sense of purpose; essentially providing a broader picture of wellbeing beyond just physical health. Countries are transitioning from GDP to wellness by using a variety of indicators to measure well-being, including health, happiness, and other factors. These indicators help policymakers design policies that improve people's lives.
Examples of countries transitioning to wellness
- New Zealand: In 2019, New Zealand introduced a Wellbeing Budget that focuses on child welfare and mental health
- Bhutan: Bhutan uses the Gross National Happiness Index to measure well-being
- Philippines: The Philippines uses the Quality of Life Index to measure well-being
- Scotland: Scotland is working to build a "well-being economy"
- Finland: Finland is working to build a "well-being economy"
Why transition from GDP to wellness?
GDP is an important economic output metric, but it doesn't capture many other aspects of life that matter to people. By using a broader set of indicators, countries can better understand how to improve well-being.