Aproximación al índice de Bienestar Económico Sostenible. Caso de estudio Bolivia, periodo 1990-2023

Abstract

Abstract: The Sustainable Economic Well-being Index (SEWI) was developed as a response to the numerous criticisms leveled at GDP, given its inability to comprehensively generate collective well-being, taking into account both environmental impacts and a country's social level in relation to its productive activities. Therefore, this study focuses its research on determining the SEWI in Bolivia during the period 1990-2023. A descriptive and explanatory methodology with a quantitative approach was employed. Seven socioeconomic and environmental variables, which comprise the SEWI, were used. An individual analysis of these variables was then performed, followed by a comparison of the SEWI with GDP, highlighting the difference between well-being and economic growth. Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation was used to understand the behavior of these two indicators during the analysis period. The results show that there is positive behavior stemming from personal consumption, while the degradation of natural capital limits social well-being. Based on the Monte Carlo simulation, the structural gap between GDP and ISEW is confirmed, demonstrating that economic growth does not translate into sustainable well-being.