A Novel History of Societal Progress and its Key Drivers 

A global historical analysis of sustainable and inclusive wellbeing, with deep-dives for Africa, China, the EU and US 

Is humanity on a path of true progress, or are we undermining our wellbeing? This report addresses this question using a human-centred framework focused on economic development. By deepening our understanding of the past and future, the framework emphasises the root causes of sustainable and inclusive wellbeing, beyond GDP growth. It draws on global data from 1820 onwards, as well as data from Africa, China, and the EU-US, linking wellbeing outcomes to six key drivers: economy, technology, globalisation, demography, nature, and institutions.

The report reveals that the foundations of humanity’s wellbeing are increasingly at risk due to intertwined crises affecting wellbeing globally. However, humanity has the power to drive institutional change at all levels, for example, by developing a clear and relatable vision of progress that resonates with citizens based on sustainable and inclusive wellbeing. This requires reforming both formal and informal institutional structures to create the necessary conditions for achieving these goals.