Measuring global progress through subjective well-being

Progress could in principle be measured through the change over time of average scores of subjective well-being. However, the existing longitudinal data show little improvement. These survey results are intrinsically insensitive to developments over time, because SWB is typically evaluated relative to proximate, and therefore salient, reference points, such as peers or expectations based on recent experience. We propose the development of measuring instruments that are less subject to such "relativistic" distortions. One approach, ACSA, uses the best and worst periods of one's life as standards. Another approach derives more sensitive indicators from the objective variables that correlate with average SWB when different countries are compared. The "World Database of Happiness" provides extensive data on such variables. They include wealth, health, security, knowledge, freedom and equality. Various statistical data suggest that all these indicators have undergone significant improvements during the last half century. This gives strong support to the thesis that progress objectively occurs.