World Happiness Foundation Position on SDG 8: Meaningful Work & Well-Being Economy

Transforming Economies for Well-Being: At the World Happiness Foundation, we envision Goal 8 not merely as “decent work and economic growth,” but as Meaningful Work & a Well-Being Economy. This means fundamentally rebalancing our economies to prioritize people’s well-being over endless GDP growth. Rather than measuring success solely by profits or output, we champion a new paradigm – Happytalism – where progress is measured by happiness, health, and shared prosperity. In fact, our reframed Goal 8 dares to “replace the mantra of economic growth with economic meaning,” encouraging fulfilling work (purpose over profit) and business models that elevate happiness, community, and environmental balance – a new economy measured by Gross Global Happiness. This abundance-focused mindset shifts us from a paradigm of scarcity and competition to one of collaboration, well-being, and shared abundance, aligning economic development with what truly matters: human and planetary thriving.

Beyond Endless Growth: Toward a Well-Being Economy

For decades, nations have pursued ever-higher GDP and productivity, assuming this leads to better lives. Yet growth alone does not guarantee happiness or equity. Even before recent crises, global experts noted a disconnect: why, in an age of record economic output, were so many people unhappy or left behind? As New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern put it, “Growth alone does not lead to a great country. So it’s time to focus on those things that do [improve well-being].” Around the world, leading thinkers and institutions are reaching the same conclusion. The United Nations itself acknowledged this in a landmark 2011 resolution (inspired by Bhutan) calling on governments to consider happiness and well-being in measuring development. Today we celebrate an International Day of Happiness each March 20th, reflecting a growing global resolve to put well-being at the center of policy. From the UK to Costa Rica, from Sweden to Slovenia, more countries are expanding how they gauge progress, beyond GDP.

One pioneering example is New Zealand’s Wellbeing Budget launched in 2019, which requires that every major public spending proposal be justified not just in fiscal terms but in how it will improve people’s lives. Child poverty and mental health outcomes must be reported alongside economic stats in budget documents. This approach recognizes that a strong economy is not an end in itself – the end goal is a flourishing society. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon echoed this in advocating for a “vision of society that has well-being – not just wealth – at its very heart”. In fact, Scotland, New Zealand, Iceland, Wales, and Finland have formed a Wellbeing Economy Governments partnership to share po

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