Rethinking Growth: For Whom Are We Building the Future?

By Saleh Mohammed

For decades, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has stood tall as the golden benchmark of progress. Governments flaunt it, politicians celebrate it, and news headlines amplify it. But beneath this shimmering surface lies a critical question, growth for what, why, and for whom?

The Seduction of GDP

GDP measures the size of an economy, not the depth of its justice, fairness, or well-being. Its relentless rise may signal economic activity, but not necessarily prosperity for all. This obsession with GDP stems from the belief that economic growth automatically leads to better living standards. Politicians cling to this narrative because it’s an easy story to sell, more growth equals more jobs, more services, more wealth.

Yet the truth is increasingly painful to confront.

The Reality Behind the Numbers

Oxfam’s recent report is chilling: while five of the world’s richest men have more than doubled their fortunes since 2020, nearly five billion people have become poorer. These tycoons accumulate wealth at a rate of US$14 million per hour, while countless workers around the world endure wage stagnation, rising living costs, and burnout in underpaid jobs.

This inequality isn’t a bug in the system, it’s a feature. It stems from deliberate policy choices: weakened labor protections, tax avoidance, the privatization of public goods, and ecological degradation. The planet is now bearing the cost, with the safe boundaries for climate change shattered to keep profits flowing and elites satisfied.

Growth That Hurts

When we focus blindly on GDP growth, we risk measuring activity without meaning. A country can boast record-breaking investment approvals while failing to create meaningful jobs. Inflation can appear “low” on paper while households struggle with groceries, rent, and healthcare. A nation can show trade surpluses even as it imports inequality and exports environmental destruction.

This is the contradiction of modern capitalism, it thrives on endless expansion in a world with finite resources. It confuses quantity with quality, and motion with direction.

From Industrial Revolution to Sustainable Evolution

Since the Industrial Revolution, our trajectory has been linear: produce more, consume more, grow more. But this growth model is proving unsustainable. In 1987, the Brundtland Commission called for a shift: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations. That call was echoed in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

These are not just lofty ideals, they’re a roadmap to survival.

Clarity and Purpose

A resilient society isn’t just rich, it is purposeful, just, and sustainable. It offers affordable housing, clean air, dependable public services, and dignified work. It builds communities, not just economies.

We must demand clarity from our leaders:

• What kind of growth are you pursuing?
• Why do you prioritize it?
• And who really benefits from it?

Empty slogans and generic policy frameworks are no longer acceptable. We need real, implementable policies with clear long-term goals.

Under Malaysia Madani, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emphasized the importance of karamah insaniah, human dignity as the cornerstone of national policy. That vision must be more than rhetoric; it should guide every infrastructure plan, economic blueprint, and budget allocation.

Growth With Justice, Dignity and Stability

True economic progress is not about flashy numbers or sudden spikes. It’s about sustained growth rooted in increased productivity, meaningful innovation, and strategic investments that empower the rakyat. It’s not about possession and control, but about dignity, justice, and legacy.

We must ask: are we planning for development, or are we unknowingly planning for breakdown?

The future cannot be left to chance or convenience. Let us foster inclusive governance, transparent leadership, and sustainable policies that serve not just today’s ambitions, but tomorrow’s children.

In the end, it’s not about whether we can raise the GDP another notch. It’s about whether we can hand over a world that is fair, just, liveable, and worth inheriting.

What say you?