Beyond-GDP indicators

Happy Planet Index (HPI)

Meaning statusEstablishedSource recordDirect document linkedWhy these are different

Definition

The Happy Planet Index is a measure of the ecological efficiency with which good lives are achieved, combining three metrics: experienced wellbeing (life satisfaction), life expectancy, and ecological footprint per capita. Conceptually it is the ratio of inequality-adjusted happy life years to per-capita ecological footprint. First published in 2006 by the New Economics Foundation, it has appeared in several global editions covering around 140–180 countries.

References

Happy Planet IndexFrequently Asked Questions (three metrics: wellbeing from Gallup World Poll, life expectancy from UNDP, ecological footprint; traffic-light presentation; not an index of the happiest country)

components and interpretation

Springer ReferenceHappy Planet Index (measure of equitable sustainable wellbeing; ratio of inequality-adjusted happy life years to per-capita footprint; first edition 2006 by NEF, 177 countries plus Taiwan)

construction and history

Overview

What it means

The HPI inverts the usual league table: it does not measure the happiest or richest country, but which countries deliver long, satisfying lives at low planetary cost. Latin American countries typically score highest, wealthy high-footprint nations mid-table, showing that high wellbeing does not require high resource consumption — the empirical core of its argument against GDP-led policy.

How it is used

The index is cited in wellbeing-economy and beyond-GDP debates, sustainability communication, and comparative policy analysis of development pathways.

Why it matters

It demonstrates that the goal of development — long, happy lives — is empirically separable from resource throughput.