Ideas worth spreading

Why governments should prioritize well-being

2,524,952 views | Nicola Sturgeon • TEDSummit 2019

In 2018, Scotland, Iceland and New Zealand established the network of Wellbeing Economy Governments to challenge the acceptance of GDP as the ultimate measure of a country's success. In this visionary talk, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon explains the far-reaching implications of a "well-being economy" -- which places factors like equal pay, childcare, mental health and access to green space at its heart -- and shows how this new focus could help build resolve to confront global challenges.

In 2018, Scotland, Iceland and New Zealand established the network of Wellbeing Economy Governments to challenge the acceptance of GDP as the ultimate measure of a country's success. In this visionary talk, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon explains the far-reaching implications of a "well-being economy" -- which places factors like equal pay, childcare, mental health and access to green space at its heart -- and shows how this new focus could help build resolve to confront global challenges.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about the network of Wellbeing Economy Governments.

Help build a well-being economy.

About the speaker

Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon

First Minister of Scotland

See speaker profile

As the first woman to hold the office of First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon is an important progressive and feminist voice in the governance of the United Kingdom.

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Find information about Scotland's Performance Framework and how the government is performing against it.

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Find out more about the OECD's work on well-being.

New Zealand Treasury | Explore

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A well-being budget published by the Government of New Zealand in May, 2019.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon | Article

"Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) Policy Labs: First Minister's speech"

A speech by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the Wellbeing Economy Government's Forum meeting in Edinburgh.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about the network of Wellbeing Economy Governments.

Help build a well-being economy.