FE43DF93-13CD-493E-BEF2-A77A9E7D6926 Copenhagen Consensus Center Logo
Copenhagen Consensus Center

The Economist

Special Online Supplement

The Economist featured an overview of Copenhagen Consensus' ground-breaking research which is shaping the thinking for the 193 governments about to prioritize the smartest development goals for 2016-2030. Because these goals will leverage a large part of the world's $2.5 trillion development aid, we set out to help identify what targets will do the most good.

Bang for the buck

Here's an expanded version of the figure included in The Economist, comparing the amount of social, economic and environmental benefit per dollar spent on pursuing different targets for global development 2016-2030.

Footnotes for graph above, Trade1, Gender2, Illicit financial flows3, Population & Demography4, Food Security and Nutrition5, Health6, Education7, Biodiversity8, Infrastructure9, Conflicts & Violence1000 deaths) to 14.">10, Energy11, Science & technology12, Climate Change13, Air Pollution14, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene15, Poverty16, Governance & Institutions$1] Provide legal identity for all, including registering all births.; [Institutions BCR Uncertain] Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels; Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements; Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.; [Corruption and bribery BCR Uncertain] Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all its forms.">17, and Data for Development18.

More about smarter development targets

For a short piece on the project read Bjorn Lomborg's editorial The United Nations needs a shorter, stronger game plan for humanity in the Washington Post.

Like long reads? Then check out the essay Promises to Keep - Crafting Better Development Goals in Foreign Affairs.

Prefer podcasts? Listen to Freakonomics Fixing the World special bang-for-the-buck edition with more than 1 million downloads per month.

60 teams of the world's top economists including several Nobel Laureate's have participated in the project. For a full list click on participants in the top menu.

Want to make the world a better place?

Nudging the world leaders to pick more rational targets for the next 15 years' development agenda, is probably the best thing any of us can do this year. If you want to help Copenhagen Consensus make the world a better place donate here.

Stay updated with our free monthly newsletter

Sign up here.