Philippines Study: Should Nations Track Dreams Like GDP?

What if your government cared about your dreams as much as your tax dollars?

Consumer researcher Lance Katigbak asked thousands of people across the Philippines a simple question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" The responses revealed something powerful that traditional economic measurements completely miss.

Katigbak noticed something we all experience but rarely discuss. As children, everyone asks about our dreams and aspirations. But somewhere along the way, people stop asking what we want to become.

His nationwide survey across the Philippines captured what citizens actually aspire to achieve with their lives. The data showed patterns that GDP, unemployment rates, and inflation numbers never could.

Traditional economic indicators tell us how countries are doing financially. They don't reveal whether people feel hopeful about their futures or what they're working toward.

Why This Inspires

Katigbak's proposal flips government priorities in an exciting way. Instead of only tracking what people produce, countries could also measure what people dream of becoming.

This isn't just feel-good data. Understanding a population's ambitions could help governments invest in the right education programs, create relevant job opportunities, and build economies that align with what citizens actually want.

The Philippines survey revealed real patterns in what motivates people. That information could guide policy decisions that traditional economic data simply can't inform.

When governments know what their citizens aspire to achieve, they can create pathways to make those dreams possible. It transforms policy from reactive problem-solving to proactive dream-building.

Katigbak presented his findings at TED@BCG in October 2025, challenging the global community to rethink how we define national success. Several policy researchers have already expressed interest in adapting his survey methodology.

The concept works because it's measurable and actionable. Governments already conduct nationwide surveys on employment and income. Adding questions about aspirations requires minimal additional resources.

Countries that adopt this approach would gain insight into whether their policies actually help citizens build the lives they want. It creates accountability beyond economic growth alone.

Measuring dreams alongside dollars acknowledges a simple truth: economic prosperity matters most when it helps people achieve what they actually care about.