Press release
United Nations proposes new global dashboard to measure progress beyond GDP
Secretary–General’s High–Level Expert Group sets out a set of indicators to put people and planet at the centre of decision–making
New York, 7 May 2026 — The UN Secretary-General’s Independent High-Level Expert Group on Beyond GDP today released a report proposing the first global blueprint for how countries can assess progress that complements Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Expert Group’s report presents a dashboard of globally applicable indicators that provides a new compass of progress for people and planet.
For decades, GDP has guided major policy decisions at every level worldwide. While it remains an essential measure of economic output, relying on GDP alone risks an incomplete picture of progress — one where the economy can grow even as critical dimensions of well-being, like safety or environmental quality, deteriorate sharply.
The case for a broader understanding of progress has never been more urgent. People around the world are growing disillusioned with economic and political systems, and environmental crises are intensifying by the day — all while GDP continues to climb.
“GDP ignores inequality and poverty. It does not capture environmental degradation. It misses non-monetary dimensions of well-being, like health, education and peace.”
– Nora Lustig, Co-Chair, High-Level Expert Group
A practical tool for immediate use
Titled “Counting What Counts: A Compass of Progress for People and Planet,” the report responds to a mandate from UN Member States under a 2024 agreement called the Pact for the Future to develop a limited number of country-owned, universally applicable indicators that complement and go beyond GDP.
“This report is a landmark step in correcting a longstanding blind spot in measuring progress: the over-reliance on GDP. It was designed to be a narrow metric of economic output, yet became one of the most consequential numbers for international policy —something its architects never intended. This report makes concrete recommendations for complementary indicators that measure what matters most to people and planet.”
– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
At the report’s core is a concise, ready-to-use dashboard designed to display a comprehensive assessment of progress, incorporating well-being, equity and inclusion, and sustainability. Drawing on the existing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) global indicator framework and established statistical systems, the dashboard allows governments to begin using it immediately to inform their decision-making.
The report also draws attention to areas that determine progress but that are often overlooked, such as cross-country spillovers, in recognition that well-being in one country is often influenced by activities and decisions in other countries.
Building on decades of efforts, including the 2030 Agenda and the Pact for the Future, this report represents a milestone in a generational project needed to move beyond GDP.
“Growth can mean many things. Growth in education. Growth in arts and leisure. Better health. Moving Beyond GDP does not mean eschewing economic growth — but instead reflecting progress across the critical dimensions of well-being for people and planet. This is what we hope to capture in our report.”
– Kaushik Basu, Co-Chair, High-Level Expert Group
Next steps for Implementation
The report outlines a clear roadmap of what is needed to go beyond GDP. In addition to a data agenda, the report provides actionable recommendations for different stakeholders— from governments, the multilateral system, the statistical community, and civil society and media. It recognizes that moving beyond GDP needs an all-hands-on-deck approach, with sustained commitment by different stakeholders.
Its recommendations will now be discussed by Member States in the General Assembly to agree on a plan to advance measures of progress at national and international levels.
***
About the High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Beyond GDP
The United Nations High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Beyond GDP comprises 14 globally recognized experts appointed in May 2025, drawing on expertise in economics, statistics, development policy, inequality, sustainability and public policy from diverse regions and institutional backgrounds.
The full report will be available on 7 May, 3 pm EDT:
https://www.un.org/en/beyondGDP/documents
Media contacts (interviews are available upon request)
Sharon Birch, UN Department of Global Communications | E: birchs@un.org
Helen Rosengren, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs | E: rosengrenh@un.org
