Dubai Future Foundation Unveils Report Rethinking National Success Beyond GDP Metrics

The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has released a report titled "The Future of Progress." This document suggests redefining national success beyond the traditional gross domestic product (GDP) measure. Earlier in 2023, DFF introduced this idea in the "Future Opportunities Report: The Global 50," aiming to broaden discussions on future progress metrics. The new report examines scenarios for moving past GDP as a global dialogue foundation.

GDP has been the main indicator of national progress for nearly eight decades. It evaluates the value of goods and services produced and consumed, savings, investments, government spending, tax revenue, and net exports. Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Managing Director of DFF, highlighted the need to rethink GDP due to rapid economic changes worldwide.

Al Gergawi stated, "There is a growing need to expand the parameters of GDP to include broader indicators such as quality of life, education, health, employment, well-being, research and innovation, safety, energy, sustainability, among others." He emphasised that this report seeks to initiate a global conversation on developing new frameworks for assessing national growth and economic progress.

The report outlines four scenarios based on five assumptions. The first assumption is that there will be no fixed view on whether 'beyond GDP' includes GDP. Secondly, measuring progress will remain a national priority. Thirdly, the transition beyond GDP will occur at global and national levels and possibly regionally in some cases.

The fourth assumption suggests that dimensions will vary across contexts and evolve over time. Lastly, technology like AI and automation will support rather than hinder this transition. The report proposes four global recommendations: defining progress globally, forming a working group to design a new framework, agreeing on progress principles, and selecting pilot sites worldwide for testing.

DFF's research covers 18 country-level approaches and 21 global indices examining progress beyond economic factors. They engaged with experts from organisations like the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Bank to explore transitioning beyond GDP.

Collaborative Efforts with Global Experts

Al Gergawi added that by collaborating with governments and international bodies, they can explore recommendations incorporating new indicators beyond traditional GDP measures. The report analyses barriers to moving past GDP and offers a roadmap for global transition while highlighting future scenarios for establishing a unified narrative.

This initiative aims to contribute significantly to ongoing global efforts since no international standard exists yet for moving beyond GDP. By engaging with experts from institutions like Peking University and University College London among others, DFF seeks to advance this dialogue further.

The report underscores the importance of expanding progress metrics to include factors like well-being and sustainability. It aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of national success by integrating diverse indicators into future evaluations.

With inputs from WAM