The need for the creation of a better measure of national well-being than Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 12314 | 23 June 2010

Signatories:

Alexander [The Earl of] DUNDEE, United Kingdom ; Lord Donald ANDERSON, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr John AUSTIN, United Kingdom ; Mr Erol Aslan CEBECİ, Turkey, EPP/CD ; Lord David CHIDGEY, United Kingdom ; Ms Claire CURTIS-THOMAS, United Kingdom ; Mr Per DALGAARD, Denmark, EDG ; Mr Tuur ELZINGA, Netherlands, UEL ; Mr Paul FLYNN, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Jean-Charles GARDETTO, Monaco, EPP/CD ; Mr John GREENWAY, United Kingdom ; Mr Doug HENDERSON, United Kingdom ; Mr Jim HOOD, United Kingdom ; Mr Tiny KOX, Netherlands, UEL ; Sir Alan MEALE, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Lilja MÓSESDÓTTIR, Iceland, UEL ; Ms Hermine NAGHDALYAN, Armenia, ALDE ; Ms Birutė VĖSAITĖ, Lithuania, SOC ; Mr Paul WILLE, Belgium ; Mr David WILSHIRE, United Kingdom, EDG

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

In Council of Europe member states, there is a growing disparity between the pursuit of wealth and the attainment of well-being. It is now clear that on its own GDP no longer reflects the balance between national wealth, welfare and well-being.

Considering Resolution 1721 (2010) already adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly on “Wealth, welfare and well-being: how to reconcile them in a changing Europe?” concrete action is now called for to develop a more accurate measure of national well-being, which is not solely confined to GDP. Given its proven record, the Council of Europe is the appropriate body within which to advance this inquiry.