Problem and solution awareness and recognition in the “Beyond GDP” context: evidence from Scotland and Italy

At the forefront of the well-being debate are Scotland and Italy, often regarded as model examples or best practices. Given their high level of involvement and contributions to the global well-being debate, we would consider both countries most likely to translate their interest in well-being into policy practice. And yet, previous studies found this not to be the case. Drawing from several theories of change, this article aims to understand why by investigating the level of problem and solution awareness and recognition amongst the main stakeholders involved in the well-being debate in both countries. More specifically, the research investigates the following questions: are stakeholders aware of the strengths and weaknesses of GDP, and do they see the latter as a problem? Similarly, are they aware of well-being metrics, and do they see them as viable solutions? Through interviews (n. 102) and a survey (n. 75), the study finds higher levels of awareness of problems and solutions amongst national statisticians and members of interest groups compared to policymakers and journalists. Findings also show a lacking recognition of a problem due to an illogical distinction that most interviewees made between GDP as an indicator and economic growth as an objective, as if the limitations of the former did not apply to the latter.