How’s Life? 2024: Well-being and Resilience in Times of Crisis
Foreword
How’s Life? is the OECD’s flagship publication on the state of well-being for people, the planet, and future generations. It draws on the OECD Well-being Framework and provides a comprehensive statistical report on various well-being outcomes. Although it does not offer policy recommendations, it serves as a diagnostic tool for policymakers by highlighting areas that may require policy intervention.
Overview of the Report
- First Edition: Launched in 2011, coinciding with the OECD’s mission to promote "Better Policies for Better Lives."
- Current Edition: The 6th edition, released after the previous report in 2020, which covered the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report now presents the latest evidence from over 80 updated indicators in the framework.
- Format: Streamlined to focus on key messages derived from joint analyses of trends across different areas of well-being.
Key Messages
- Current Challenges: The report highlights ongoing economic and societal disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cost-of-living crises, and geopolitical tensions.
- Resilience: Despite these challenges, policy responses have been more effective in protecting lives and livelihoods compared to the Global Financial Crisis. These responses also aim to foster greater resilience and sustainability.
- Social and Environmental Priorities: Many action priorities lie in the social and environmental spheres, reflecting the need to address market failures and the complexities of modern economies and societies.
Financial Concerns and Insecurity
- Current State: One in five people across the OECD report experiencing financial concerns and insecurity.
- Impact: These issues highlight the need for comprehensive approaches to address challenges, emphasizing the importance of rebuilding economies in more inclusive and environmentally sustainable ways.
Conclusion
The report underscores the need for collaborative efforts between governments and citizens to address current challenges and build more resilient and sustainable futures.
