New UNECE guidelines propose way to measure well-being beyond GDP

Responding to the growing international consensus on the need to focus on people’s lived experiences at the centre of development and policymaking, UNECE has released a new set of guidelines with recommendations on how to define well-being dimensions, select and compile statistical indicators, identify relevant data sources and disseminate and communicate results effectively to the public.

Developed by the UNECE Task Force on measuring well-being under the Conference of European Statisticians, the guidelines build on leading international frameworks and reports, including the Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi Report on measurement of economic performance and social progress, the OECD Well-being and Progress Framework, Eurostat’s Quality of Life Indicators, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

Defining well-being: key dimensions  

Well-being is more than income. It is a multidimensional concept that covers all aspects of life that people value, from health and education to safety, environmental conditions, social relationships and more. It refers to the different aspects that are crucial to meeting human needs and the ability and freedom to pursue one's goals, thrive and feel satisfied with life.

The UNECE guidelines focus on measuring the well-being of the present generation (“here and now”), while also acknowledging broader dimensions, such as well-being “elsewhere” (the well-being of people living in other countries) and “later” (the well-being of future generations). This approach reflects the possible transboundary impacts of development in an increasingly globalized world, by highlighting how a country’s pursuit of well-being for its citizens may affect the well-being of people in other countries.  

The guidelines propose 10 key dimensions of well-being (see image below), each accompanied by suggested indicators that countries can adapt to their national contexts.

Value for countries and policy-makers

By offering practical tools and internationally recognized approaches, the guidelines provide countries with a solid foundation for advancing well-being statistics as part of the broader sustainable development agenda.

To support practical implementation, the guidelines offer advice on compiling and communicating well-being indicators, and on developing a national framework for well-being statistics. They draw on real-world case studies of relevant well-being measures initiatives, including from Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, highlighting practices, challenges and advice for tailoring metrics to specific national contexts.

For countries starting from scratch, Chapter 6 provides a clear roadmap with 17 practical steps – from scoping and research, to developing measures, launching them, and ensuring long-term sustainability.  Countries are also encouraged to consult the Annex, which offers detailed, easy-to-follow guidance for each indicator, including definitions, data sources, and the international frameworks they build on.

Focus on disaggregated data

Disaggregated indicators per each dimension can reveal important insights that would otherwise remain unnoticed, supporting smarter, fairer and more responsive public policy. They are essential to identifying different kinds of inequalities that shape subjective and objective well-being across population groups.

They also help detect gaps between regions or communities, allowing for better targeting of policies and resources, and allow for the tracking of the well-being of vulnerable or marginalized groups, whose realities may be hidden in national averages.

Finally, they inform inclusive policymaking by providing a consistent and detailed picture of overall well-being for specific groups.