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The economy of well-being: between European objectives and national realities

In October 2019, the Council of the European Union adopted conclusions on the economy of well-being, one of the priorities of the Finnish Presidency. The Council acknowledges the welfare impact on the economic “sustainability and social stability” of Europe showing the benefits of a policy oriented to improved access to rights and services for all.

The economy of well-being is a relatively new concept pushing the reflection on the individual and their capacity to contribute to the economic growth of European society. Highlighting the human dimension of the economy, the Council Conclusions look beyond the purely economic perspectives of the EU’s evolution, drawing attention to the role of human power as a vector of its development.

It is clear that such intensions represent a number of benefits for both individuals and society on one side, and national and European economies on the other. Nevertheless, the EU’s aims are severely challenged by the different social and economic contexts in Member States, making it difficult to achieve such objectives.

Social disparities between countries and regions, show the difficulty of putting wellbeing at the heart of national economic policies and putting people first. In its recent paper the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development notes the existence of “[…] inequalities of income, wealth and opportunities,” and they are clear obstacles to the achievement of the global vision of the economy of wellbeing. According to Eurostat statistics from September 2019, 15.635 million people were unemployed with the highest rates noted in Greece (16.9 %) and Spain (14.2 %).

A similar situation can be observed on national level when it comes to minimum monthly remuneration: in 2019, the population in Bulgaria received the lowest minimum salary of 286 EUR per month while the minimum wage in Luxembourg was 2 071 EUR. It results in different purchasing power and capacity to afford basic needs such as proper nutrition, clothes, medicines, that improve health and welfare.

Notable disparities are observed among Member States in terms of economic indicators such as gross domestic product. Here again Bulgaria, the country with the lowest GDP, is 50 % below the EU average while Luxembourg GDP is 2.5 times as high as the EU average.

The economy of well-being becomes then, an ambitious dream whose realization requires common efforts of both EU and Member States in several policy areas, involving policy makers and stakeholders at all levels, including the private sector. It is a necessary step for the implementation of EU social policy, bringing positive change for Europeans, and may contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  At the same time placing well-being in the heart of EU economic priorities, especially when it comes to socially excluded groups more vulnerable to economic dynamics, could promote the consolidation the European society and increase their trust in the European project.

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