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Is the SNA Still Useful? A Review Article on The Measure of Progress: Counting What Really Matters

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  • Paul Schreyer

Abstract

Diane Coyle’s The Measure of Progress offers a thought-provoking critique of traditional economic metrics, particularly GDP and the System of National Accounts (SNA). These metrics, she argues, are inadequate for capturing the complexities of modern economies and fail to provide a satisfactory answer to the question, “Are things getting better, and for whom?”. This review article summarizes the key arguments, highlights the book’s main contributions, and offers reflections on how the proposals intersect with recent advances in economic measurement.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Schreyer, 2025. "Is the SNA Still Useful? A Review Article on The Measure of Progress: Counting What Really Matters," International Productivity Monitor, Centre for the Study of Living Standards, vol. 49, pages 116-124, Fall.
    • Handle: RePEc:sls:ipmsls:v:49:y:2025:6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin L. Weitzman, 1976. "On the Welfare Significance of National Product in a Dynamic Economy," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 90(1), pages 156-162.
    2. Kenneth Arrow & Partha Dasgupta & Karl-Göran Mäler, 2003. "Evaluating Projects and Assessing Sustainable Development in Imperfect Economies," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 26(4), pages 647-685, December.
    3. Diane Coyle & Wendy Li, 2021. "The Data Economy: Market Size and Global Trade," Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE) Discussion Papers ESCoE DP-2021-09, Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE).
    4. Diane Coyle, 2014. "GDP: A Brief but Affectionate History," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 10183, December.
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