Welcome to Money for Change, a brand-new podcast from Triodos Bank! In this weekly podcast, the Impact & Economics department will share insights and challenges related to our core question: how can we transition to a more balanced and just world?

Each episode, we’ll be joined by Hans Stegeman, Triodos Bank’s Chief Economist. Together, we’ll dive into various topics and current affairs related to this overarching question, exploring ways in which these necessary changes might be realized.

In the episode of this week, we’re going to discuss who is better off: US citizens or EU citizens? Conventionally economists might look at GDP per capita numbers and conclude that US citizens are on average better off than EU citizens. Yet, GDP fails to take into account some of the aspects that matter. Beyond GDP is the movement that tries to correct these shortcomings. Together with Annegeke Jansen, PhD candidate at the WISE Horizons project in Leiden, we’re going to examine the various dimensions of Beyond GDP. You will find out where citizens live healthier, where they are safer and where most ecological damage is done. We end by discussing what policymakers should do differently from a Beyond GDP perspective.

The episode will be concluded by Hans’ news items of this week where you will hear Hans draw parallels between current AI development and the Space Race, provoking Ernst to update one of history’s most famous quotes…

Enjoy listening and don’t forget to rate & follow us!

Host: Ernst Hobma

Fixed guest: Hans Stegeman

Guest: Annegeke Jansen

Note: In the episode Hans and Ernst say that the median income in the US is lower than in the EU, but this is incorrect. While the average income of the bottom 50% of income earners is lower in the US, the median income is higher than in the EU. This shows that inequality of income within the bottom 50% of income earners is greater in the US than in the EU.

For suggestions, comments or questions, please use the contact form on this page: https://www.triodos.com/en/podcasts/money-for-change

Are US citizens better off than EU citizens?

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