Why countries should measure dreams and ambitions (just like GDP) | Lance Katigbak

National development metrics like GDP often fail to reflect the actual lives and aspirations of citizens, focusing on economic growth while ignoring individual human potential. By surveying people about their personal goals, it becomes clear that financial security to manage health crises and support for extended families are primary drivers of ambition. Despite these clear objectives, existing institutions frequently leave individuals to navigate these challenges alone. Establishing a "Department of Dreams" could shift the focus toward tracking personal progress and aligning government policy—including healthcare, education, and labor—with the specific, evolving ambitions of the population. Measuring these dreams provides a more accurate vector of national progress than happiness indices or economic output alone, ensuring that development is defined by the ability of citizens to achieve their long-term goals rather than just hitting arbitrary financial targets.