Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast

Some companies overlook the power of community engagement. Here’s how Kinross Gold Corporation transforms its global operations into responsible actions that benefit its people and business. In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, our special guest, Dominic Channer (Vice President for Community Relations), shares how the company effectively manages relationships with indigenous and local communities across six vastly different regions, from Morocco’s Sahara Desert to...

There's controversy around Nigeria, but today, we want to give a shoutout to the social issues it is solving. Michael Green helps us analyze how the country is performing in water and sanitation, education, environmental quality, safety and Nutrition and Medical Care. He also highlights the biggest threats to Nigeria's future. Which country would you like us to analyze next using the Global Social Progress Index? Please follow and rate our show! Explore our work at https:...

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 significan...

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 enviro...

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, C...

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/ Inter...

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 ...

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 di...

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...

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 Ukra...

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 considerati...

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...