Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast

For the last 15 years, while much of the world has pushed forward, the US, Canada, and the UK have seen their social progress stall,or worse, go backwards. Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland are also facing some challenges. We use the 2026 Social Progress Index to diagnose why the English-speaking countries are losing their edge. Listen now to learn why every English-speaking country ranks lower than 100th in housing affordability, how Canada and Australia are seeing a decline in personal security and see how the UK’s self-inflicted wounds are affecting their quality of life. These countries must look for inspiration to solve some of their most pressing issues…somewhere else. Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

In just three decades, China has transitioned from a developing nation to a global superpower, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty; however, is China’s development story an example for the rest of the world?In this episode, we analyze China’s economic and social development from 1990–2020 using the Time Series Social Progress Index to measure China’s "efficiency" in turning wealth into wellbeing. We compare China's trajectory with India and Indonesia, nations that achieved significant social progress with only a fraction of China's GDP per capita.Which country would you like us to analyze next? Time Series: https://www.socialprogress.org/social-progress-index-time-seriesPlease follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Ever wondered how we can really measure our quality of life? Economic growth is not the full answer. Michael Green explains the importance of going beyond GDP and why social progress matters. We compare the world's richest nations, like Singapore, with economic "underdogs" like Estonia and Costa Rica to reveal who is actually delivering a better life for their citizens. GDP is definitely not destiny! We go from "It's the economy, stupid," said in 1992, to why the United States' booming economy hasn't been able to translate its results into social progress. Why did the U.S. drop from 8th to 32nd in the world? We look at the outcomes that GDP ignores, like health, education, rights, and safety, to show you the real map of success. Other countries we analyze their Social Progress Score vs. their GDP per capita for are Malawi, Norway, Turkey, Egypt, Guyana, Qatar, Finland, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, and the Central African Republic. Data from 1990 to 2020 available on the Time Series Social Progress Index: https://www.socialprogress.org/social-progress-index-time-seriesPlease follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Living in a wealthy capital city gives you the best quality of life? Not necessarily. While Northern Europe consistently tops the Social Progress Index ranking, the 2026 EU Regional Social Progress Index discovers hidden gems where wellbeing and social outcomes far exceed economic development.We use the Social Progress Imperative methodology adopted by the European Commission to look beyond GDP. We explore regions that prove you don't need a massive bank balance to enjoy safety, clean environments, and advanced education.Places like Extremadura in Spain, Northern Portugal near Porto, Podlaskie in Poland, Northern and Western Ireland and the North Aegean Islands are your safe options when looking for places to live in Europe. Check out the full EU Regional Social Progress Index: https://www.socialprogress.org/thematic-webpages/european-union-regional-social-progress-indexPlease follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

While the connection between GDP per capita and life satisfaction is undeniable, it isn't the whole story. We explore the World Happiness Report by looking at countries that punch above their weight and those that underperform given their wealth. GDP only buys happiness up to a point, so with the Global Social Progress Index, we analyze the role of Personal Freedom and Opportunity in long-term life satisfaction.Michael Green, CEO at Social Progress Imperative, analyzes the top countries in the World Happiness Report, including Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Costa Rica, and Mexico. He also compares the results with some underperforming countries such as the United States, Singapore and Greece. The Empirics of Social Progress: The Interplay between Subjective Well-Being and Societal Performance: https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/pandp.20181036Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

As Hungary prepares for the high-stakes April 12, 2026, general election, the world is watching to see if Viktor Orbán’s 16-year tenure will finally come to an end. What does nearly fifteen years of “Orbánism” actually look like for Hungarians?Using the Global Social Progress Index, we track Hungary’s trajectory in education, rights, health, housing and overall quality of life. While neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe have surged forward, Hungary’s progress has stalled. Michael Green, CEO at Social Progress Imperative, explores the erosion of civil liberties and Hungary’s decline in educational standards, to provide an audit of a populist legacy.But what happens if the opposition wins? We outline a strategic roadmap for a potential successor, identifying “quick wins”. Chapters: How Hungary dropped to 40th in the world for social progress.Analyzing the 15-point drop in personal rights and freedom.Why Hungary ranks 107th for NGO treatment.Can a new government fix education and healthcare?Election IntegrityPlease follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Happy World Health Day! From the top-performing leaders in Asia to the surprising decline in health indicators among rich countries, we are exploring the 2026 Social Progress Index and analyzing the countries with the best health scores and those falling dangerously behind.Success isn’t just about doctors; it’s about building a healthy society. Topics covered in the episode:Top-ranked healthiest countries Which are the top-ranked countries in Latin America  The U.S. and the health crisis in Russia and the post-Soviet statesHow poverty and inequality drive global health trendsPlease follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Is the world really doomed to decline? New data from the 2026 Global Social Progress Index shows a worrying halt in global quality of life after decades of steady progress. But what’s behind this worrying trend, and is there any hope for reversal?This episode isn't just about grim stats; it's about understanding the critical choices ahead.Explore the 2026 Global Social Progress Index results!Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

What does social progress actually look like inside one of the world's most watched and most misunderstood economies? Michael Green sits down with Sofía Ramírez Aguilar, Director of México ¿Cómo Vamos?to dig into where Mexico really stands on quality of life, what the Social Progress Index reveals across all 32 states, and why the story is far more nuanced than the headlines suggest. From the happiness paradox to the three critical gaps holding Mexico back — public safety, basic education, and healthcare, to the Shared Prosperity Map that puts U.S. and Mexican states on the same quality-of-life scale, this is a conversation about what North American integration actually looks like on the ground.Plus: why foreign direct investment follows social progress scores, what teen pregnancy rates in Oaxaca vs. Chihuahua reveal about the limits of aggregate data, and Sofía's optimistic prediction for the decade ahead.Chapters00:00:00 – Introduction & What México ¿Cómo Vamos? Does00:02:15 – Mexico's Happiness Rankings & Social Progress Reality Check00:05:48 – The Three Big Gaps: Safety, Education, Healthcare00:10:33 – The Shared Prosperity Map of North America00:12:37 – Quality of Work vs. Employment as a Social Progress Driver00:18:59 – The Two-Way Relationship Between Growth and Social Progress00:20:39 – State-Level Data: Guerrero, Chiapas, Oaxaca & Closing the Gap00:23:00 – Teen Pregnancy as a Window Into Different State Realities00:27:41 – Laredo/Nuevo Laredo: Social Progress at the Municipal Level00:29:33 – Why Investors Follow Social Progress Scores00:34:12 – Supply Chains, Integration, and the States Being Left Behind00:36:15 – Sofía's Prediction: A Decade of Real Progress in North AmericaFollow Sofía Ramírez Aguilar and México ¿Cómo Vamos?: Website https://mexicocomovamos.mx Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, speaks with Dr. Amit Kapoor, Chairman of the Institute for Competitiveness, about the challenges behind India’s rise and why measuring progress requires looking beyond GDP.Dr. Kapoor explains how India’s development story is shaped by social progress indicators, environmental pressures, and shifting global economic dynamics. From foreign aid and international development to urban pollution and global influence, the conversation explores how countries can measure success in ways that reflect the real well-being of their citizens.They also discuss why GDP alone cannot capture a nation’s progress, what alternative metrics reveal about inequality and sustainability, and how India’s trajectory may influence global development in the decades ahead.In this episode, we discuss:• Why GDP is an incomplete measure of national progress • How India’s social progress has evolved over the past decade • The global impact of foreign aid spending • Why many of the world’s most polluted cities are in India • How economic strength translates into geopolitical influenceTimestamps00:00:00 Introduction & why India’s development story matters00:01:38 Is India’s social progress slowing down?00:03:35 Does foreign aid actually work?00:04:11 Measuring progress beyond GDP00:09:42 Why social progress indicators matter00:13:21 India’s development trajectory and inequality00:18:10 India’s pollution crisis and public health00:20:22 Why solving pollution is so complex00:23:32 Economic power and global influence00:25:58 India’s role in the global economy00:26:03 Can economic growth solve inequality?00:27:39 Final thoughts on measuring progress beyond GDPPlease follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Brazil is ranked 52nd in the world for social progress but behind that number are 5,570 municipalities each fighting their own hidden crises. In this episode, Michael Green sits down with Melissa Wilm from IPS Brasil to uncover four on-the-ground stories of what happens when data meets real communities.From two rival Brazilian capitals turning competition into collaboration, to a small Amazon town where malnutrition had nothing to do with healthcare, to a health secretary who changed one thing and transformed his entire community, to a city that discovered its data had been wrong all along this is what evidence-based policymaking actually looks like in practice.The 2026 IPS Brasil Social Progress Index launches in May. Explore the full data tool at ipsbrazil.org.br00:00:00 Introduction — Brazil's place in global social progress00:01:11 Meet Melissa Wilm & IPS Brasil00:01:36 Brazil's social progress profile: success and unfulfilled potential00:02:33 How the index works across 5,570 municipalities00:05:15 Case Study 1: Curitiba vs Belo Horizonte — healthy competition00:10:15 Case Study 2: Capinzal do Norte — the food crisis hiding in the farmland00:13:19 Small town, global relevance — the ultra-processed food crisis00:15:47 Case Study 3: Água Azul do Norte — the clinic that changed everything00:17:46 Case Study 4: Abaetetuba — when the data was wrong all along00:20:59 The 2026 IPS Brasil index — what's coming in May00:21:30 Prediction00:24:10 Wrap-up & where to find IPS BrasilPlease follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Is the loneliness epidemic a policy failure?In this episode of the Beyond GDP Podcast, Michael Green speaks with Kim Samuel, founder of the Belonging Forum, about the growing crisis of social isolation, and why belonging may be the missing metric in public policy.While GDP measures economic output, it tells us little about whether people feel included, represented, or connected. New data from the Belonging Barometer shows:• 21% of people don’t feel they belong• 41% of people with disabilities report frequent loneliness• Young women report the highest levels of isolationWe explore:• The difference between loneliness and belonging• Why social isolation is rising globally• Climate anxiety, geopolitics, and generational uncertainty• Whether technology strengthens or weakens belonging• Why belonging may become a policy priority within five yearsPlease follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Most of our societal problems stem from an outdated dominance-based system and the solution isn’t more of the same. For episode 1 of season 2 of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, our host Michael Green sits down with Riane Eisler, President of the Center for Partnership Systems, and distinguished scientist, futurist and author of The Chalice and the Blade and The Real Wealth of Nations. In this episode, we discuss the overlooked sectors that traditional economies ignore, including the household, natural, and volunteer economies, and how neglecting them perpetuates inequality and chaos. Perfect for leaders, change-makers, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the deep roots of societal change. Ancient societies, long erased from our history books, demonstrated partnership models that promoted peace and cooperation, so what can we learn about this? The stakes couldn’t be higher: If we ignore these insights, we risk ongoing regression into violent, hierarchical systems that threaten our survival. But if we embrace a partnership-centered approach, we unlock the potential for resilient communities, gender equality, and social progress.Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, explains the fundamental distinctions between the Social Progress Index and the Human Development Index, shedding light on how social and environmental factors are measured differently from traditional economic metrics.Michael shares the origin and purpose of the Human Development Index introduced in 1990, its indicators, and its limitations. He provides insight into why the Social Progress Index assesses societal progress.Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Over the past year, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts have faced severe backlash, especially in the United States, prompting many organizations to quietly abandon their initiatives. Some claim “mission accomplished.” The data says otherwise.In Episode 5 of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green sits down with Elmira Bayrasli, former diplomat, author, professor, and CEO of Interruptrr, to challenge the notion that DEI was simply a fleeting trend. They explore why inclusion is one of the world’s weakest areas of progress and why abandoning it now poses a severe risk to business and society.Key takeaways:Shocking real-world examples, including failures during 9/11 and October 7th, where the deliberate rejection of women’s perspectives led to catastrophic outcomes.Why Elmira thinks the US has made it uniquely difficult for women to rise to the presidency compared to other countries.How diverse teams are better at lowering risk and anticipating what could go wrong.Elmira shares data on women’s representation in media and policy. Elmira details why she started Interruptrr.Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

The world got Ukraine wrong. Why was Ukraine underestimated and Russia overestimated for decades? It’s not just a military question, it's a social progress story.In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, host Michael Green sits down with Orysia Lutsevych, Head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House, to reveal the surprising civic strength that has defined Ukraine's identity and fueled its resilience.Before the invasion, data from the Global Social Progress Index showed Ukraine was performing well in translating economic growth into strong social outcomes. Lutsevych explains the historical and institutional secrets behind this success, and why the outcome of this war is foundational for shaping our entire global system.Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Let's explore Costa Rica's remarkable social progress and the factors contributing to its success. Our special guest, Jaime Garcia, discusses the historical context, the role of institutions, and the importance of education and health in driving social welfare. The conversation also addresses current challenges and the need for a more equitable distribution of social progress across the country. The insights shared highlight the significance of political stability, sustainability, and the potential lessons other countries beyond Latin America can learn from Costa Rica's experience.Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

In this episode, we challenge the foundational purpose of modern business, asking a provocative question: Is your hard-earned pension money funding the very companies that undermine your long-term health and the stability of the planet? Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, is joined by Catherine Howarth, CEO of ShareAction, to expose this ultimate investment paradox, where the shareholders, the true owners of the world’s largest companies, are often not taken into consideration in the business decisionmaking process. We explore the "democratic gap" that prevents shareholders from enforcing accountability on issues like climate action and fair wages, discuss the collective failure of the financial community to shift capital away from polluting industries, and explore Catherine's confident prediction about the capitalist system for the coming decade. Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

What are the successes and challenges of Philanthrocapitalism? We highlight the evolving role of wealthy individuals and businesses in addressing social and environmental issues, the impact of political changes on philanthropy, and the future of social progress in a rapidly changing world. The conversation focuses on the need for a shift away from GDP-centric thinking towards a more holistic approach to societal well-being. What will happen to the United States with Trump’s new economic policies? Is America close to social breakdown? As the world deals with pressing challenges such as geopolitical risks and the climate crisis, could we still rely on philanthrocapitalists to make a change? Special guest: Matthew Bishop, distinguished journalist, author, and social entrepreneur.Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter! 

Learn the shifting perspectives on economic growth and the limitations of GDP as a measure of national success. Discover the origins of GDP, Gross Domestic Product,  its role in guiding global economic development, and the reasons why it falls short in capturing true societal progress. From the historical context of the Great Depression and Simon Kuznets to the modern challenges of sustainability and equity, Michael Green discusses why the global conversation is moving beyond GDP. Join us as we discuss the need for new metrics, like the Social Progress Index, that better reflect the values and well-being of our societies.Find out more about how we collaborate with decision-makers and researchers to advance social progress across communities. Visit socialprogress.orgSubscribe to our newsletter for more insights on how to move drom data to impact in your community.Partner with us!Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https://www.socialprogress.org/Interested in the Social Progress Index? Learn more. Help us advance social progress across the world! Your donation makes a huge difference to us. Donate now! Want the full story? Subscribe to our newsletter!