Ideas change everything

The Happy Planet Index

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Nic Marks |

TEDGlobal 2010

• July 2010

Statistician Nic Marks asks why we measure a nation's success by its productivity -- instead of by the happiness and well-being of its people. He introduces the Happy Planet Index, which tracks national well-being against resource use (because a happy life doesn't have to cost the earth). Which countries rank highest in the HPI? You might be surprised.

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Want to use TED Talks in your organization?

Statistician Nic Marks asks why we measure a nation's success by its productivity -- instead of by the happiness and well-being of its people. He introduces the Happy Planet Index, which tracks national well-being against resource use (because a happy life doesn't have to cost the earth). Which countries rank highest in the HPI? You might be surprised.

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Participate in a survey about happiness at work.

About the speaker

Happiness researcher

See speaker profile

Nic Marks gathers evidence about what makes us happy, and uses it to promote policy that puts the well-being of people and the planet first. He's the founder of the Centre for Well-Being at the UK think tank New Economics Foundation (NEF).

Learn more

The Happiness Manifesto

Nic Marks | TED Books (2011)

Nic Marks - *The Happiness Manifesto*

This talk was presented at an official TED conference.

Read our curation guidelines.

Participate in a survey about happiness at work.