Report by the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress

The Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress was created at the beginning of 2008 on [the] French government's initiative. Increasing concerns have been raised about the adequacy of current measures of economic performance, in particular those based on [gross domestic product] GDP figures. Moreover, there are broader concerns about the relevance of these figures as measures of societal well-being, as well as measures of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Reflecting these concerns, President Sarkozy decided to create this Commission to...  [+] Show more

The Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress was created at the beginning of 2008 on [the] French government's initiative. Increasing concerns have been raised about the adequacy of current measures of economic performance, in particular those based on [gross domestic product] GDP figures. Moreover, there are broader concerns about the relevance of these figures as measures of societal well-being, as well as measures of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Reflecting these concerns, President Sarkozy decided to create this Commission to look at the entire range of issues. Its aim is to identify the limits of GDP as an indicator of economic performance and social progress, to consider additional information required for the production of a more relevant picture, to discuss how to present this information in the most appropriate way, and to check the feasibility of measurement tools proposed by the Commission. The Commission's work is not focused on France, nor on developed countries. This report is the output of the Commission. It provides a template for every interested country or group of countries.

Edited excerpt from publication.