A revolutionary economic metric for a more compassionate world
"...despite job gains we're in the midst of a huge increase in national misery."
- Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize-winning economist
The New York Times, September 2020
Read the full article"GDP measures everything, except that which makes life worthwhile."
GDP "omits domestic labour and other unpaid work, includes a great deal of economic activity that may be harmful to individuals, society or the environment, and is insensitive to inequality."
- Joseph Stigliz, Amartya Sen, Jean Paul Fitoussi
"Mis-Measuring Our Lives: Why GDP Doesn't Add Up (The Report of the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress)
Read the full reportFor too long, nations have measured success by GDP growth while ignoring the human cost. Gross Domestic Suffering (GDS) flips the script by measuring what truly matters - the reduction of human misery.
While GDP celebrates production regardless of consequences, GDS reveals the hidden suffering behind economic statistics. Our comprehensive index combines 11 key indicators across healthcare, social welfare, justice systems, and human rights to provide a more honest picture of national well-being.
"What if we prioritized minimizing suffering rather than maximizing profit?"
Unlike GDP, which treats all economic activity as positive regardless of impact, GDS recognizes that true prosperity means ending preventable suffering.
Mental wellbeing across populations
Substance dependency prevalence
Addiction crisis severity
When we measure the wrong things, we get the wrong outcomes.
Nations with impressive GDP figures often hide shocking levels of suffering. The United States ranks 59th globally in minimizing suffering - behind countries with far fewer resources - due to high incarceration rates, mental health crises, and inadequate healthcare access.
By measuring suffering directly, we create accountability for the human impact of economic policies. GDS provides clear direction for policymakers: focus first on ending preventable misery rather than driving consumption at any cost.
The path to genuine prosperity starts with acknowledging where we're failing our most vulnerable.
The Gross Domestic Suffering index was developed by economists and social scientists committed to measuring what truly matters for human wellbeing.
Building on the work of happiness economists and alternatives like Bhutan's Gross National Happiness index, GDS offers a practical, data-driven framework for evaluating economic success through the lens of human suffering.
Our methodology is transparent, regularly updated, and open to refinement as we work with governments, NGOs, and researchers worldwide.
"We believe minimizing suffering is the foundation upon which all other forms of prosperity must be built."
Leading economists and social scientists
Rigorous methodology and analysis
Working with organizations worldwide
Nordic countries lead in minimizing suffering through strong social supports
The United States ranks 59th globally despite its high GDP, primarily due to healthcare failures, mental health crises, and mass incarceration
Many developing nations outperform wealthy countries by prioritizing basic needs and community wellbeing
High GDP often masks severe inequality, poor health outcomes, and environmental degradation
The GDS Index is challenging economic orthodoxy and redefining success for nations worldwide.
Together, we can build economies that prioritize human dignity over abstract growth metrics.