Petition · past parliament
Drop GDP and adopt the Happiness Index to estimate the health of a nation.
Rejected
11 signatures
What the petition asks
The Happiness Index as used in Bhutan and adopted in New Zealand, would help the government to use budgets to increase the welfare of its citizens.
It would ensure that resources are spread more evenly, resulting in a healthier society.
It would ensure that resources are spread more evenly, resulting in a healthier society.
The designer of modern GDP himself, Simon Kuznet said ' The welfare of a nation can scarcely be inferred from a measurement of national income'.
GDP is not a suitable tool for estimating the health of a nation, indeed it drives further inequality whilst making the rich even more so.
At a moment of national crisis it is time to stop supporting a system promoting the elite 1% and focus on enhancing the health all our citizens and planet.
GDP is not a suitable tool for estimating the health of a nation, indeed it drives further inequality whilst making the rich even more so.
At a moment of national crisis it is time to stop supporting a system promoting the elite 1% and focus on enhancing the health all our citizens and planet.
Why it was rejected
It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.
We're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do, in particular we don't know what you mean by dropping GDP. There is not a single, official measure that the Government use to assess policy impact or the health of the country.
The Office for National Statistics already collects data on a range of areas, you can find more information here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing
You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do, such as changes to specific policies. For example, you could start a petition requesting a specific strategy for increasing human health, happiness and wellbeing.
The Office for National Statistics already collects data on a range of areas, you can find more information here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing
You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do, such as changes to specific policies. For example, you could start a petition requesting a specific strategy for increasing human health, happiness and wellbeing.
Timeline
| 30 Dec 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 5 Jan 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
11
Status
Rejected
Rejected
5 Jan 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.