Despite being one of the world's leading economies, Britain faces a troubling reality. From the aftermath of the global financial crisis to the effects of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, Britain’s journey has been anything but smooth. This short video examines the current state of Britain's social progress, highlighting key areas that require attention and potential strategies for improvement. Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, gives some recommendations for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government to reignite social progress.
The UK currently ranks 20th in the world on the Global Social Progress Index, a measure of quality of life based on non-economic outcomes. While life expectancy is rising and air pollution is decreasing, particularly in London, other areas are not faring as well. Housing costs continue to climb, public confidence in services like health and education is waning, and discrimination against minorities is on the rise.
The economic landscape has been shaped by significant events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. These have contributed to a stagnation in social progress since 2011. Michael Green goes back all the way from Margaret Thatcher’s government to see where things have gone wrong.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces the challenge of addressing these issues while navigating a political environment where economic growth alone is not enough to secure electoral success. The 2025 Global Social Progress Index revealed a shocking insight: 2024 was the biggest election year in history with half the world's population going to the polls. 79% of those voters live in a country with stagnating or declining social progress, and 8 out of 10 of them voted for change. This is notable given the overwhelming majority of these countries have seen an increase in GDP per capita, sending a profound message to elected officials to prioritize social progress together with economic development.
To boost social progress, the UK must focus on three critical areas: housing, public services, and discrimination against minorities.
As the UK grapples with these challenges, it is clear that a multifaceted approach is needed to reignite social progress. By focusing on key areas and implementing effective strategies, the UK can pave the way for a brighter future.
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Despite being one of the world's leading economies, Britain faces a troubling reality. From the aftermath of the global financial crisis to the effects of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, Britain’s journey has been anything but smooth. This short video examines the current state of Britain's social progress, highlighting key areas that require attention and potential strategies for improvement. Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, gives some recommendations for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government to reignite social progress.
The UK currently ranks 20th in the world on the Global Social Progress Index, a measure of quality of life based on non-economic outcomes. While life expectancy is rising and air pollution is decreasing, particularly in London, other areas are not faring as well. Housing costs continue to climb, public confidence in services like health and education is waning, and discrimination against minorities is on the rise.
The economic landscape has been shaped by significant events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. These have contributed to a stagnation in social progress since 2011. Michael Green goes back all the way from Margaret Thatcher’s government to see where things have gone wrong.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces the challenge of addressing these issues while navigating a political environment where economic growth alone is not enough to secure electoral success. The 2025 Global Social Progress Index revealed a shocking insight: 2024 was the biggest election year in history with half the world's population going to the polls. 79% of those voters live in a country with stagnating or declining social progress, and 8 out of 10 of them voted for change. This is notable given the overwhelming majority of these countries have seen an increase in GDP per capita, sending a profound message to elected officials to prioritize social progress together with economic development.
To boost social progress, the UK must focus on three critical areas: housing, public services, and discrimination against minorities.
As the UK grapples with these challenges, it is clear that a multifaceted approach is needed to reignite social progress. By focusing on key areas and implementing effective strategies, the UK can pave the way for a brighter future.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get more insights from around the world.
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