National Accounts of Wellbeing

What you might ask is ‘Wellbeing’ and how the hell do combine it with “National Accounts”. All is explained by downloading this report. Here is a quick summary

National Accounts of Well-being directly measure people’s subjective well-being: their experiences, feelings and perceptions of how their lives are going. They are needed because the economic indicators tell us little about the relative success or failure of countries in supporting a good life for their citizens.

Sounds reasonable.

The graphic shows the variation of social well-being by age. This is defined as the extent and quality of interactions we have in close relationships with family, friends and our trust of being treated fairly and respectfully by them. You can read a full definition in the report.

Bottom line message. Young Brits have the lowest score of social well being in Europe. Thank heavens the older groups still possess some positive feelings – nearly as much the ever cheerful Scandinavians.

Seriously, this makes grim reading. British young people – even those in their 30s and 40s are a distrusting bunch. I am glad I don’t have to advise companies how to market to them!

Go and have a look at this supporting site for the report. It is one of the best visual ways of delivering information I have seen. Well done. Dick Stroud