IELTS TASK 2: Does economic prosperity correlate to increased life satisfaction?

In nations that have already gained great wealth, any additional economic prosperity would not make people more satisfied. Do you agree or disagree?

There is a popular notion that prosperous countries have no incentive to further their economic prospects as it would not make their citizens happier. In my opinion, economic growth still has numerous great benefits that enable people from affluent nations to lead more satisfying lives.

First and foremost, as countries continue to thrive economically, their governments can afford to allocate more money to the healthcare industry. By doing so, they can prolong the life expectancy of their citizens, thereby helping them live longer and healthier. Furthermore, improved healthcare also reduces the risk of diseases and ailments among citizens. That means fewer people would have to suffer from mental or physical illnesses, which contributes to increased life satisfaction.

Greater economic prospects means the quality of education will improve. As a result, children will have better career prospects and make more money in return when they reach adulthood. By the time they retire, they will have sufficient pension funds to enjoy an extravagant and carefree lifestyle. Furthermore, economic prosperity can enable governments to make education free and accessible to everyone. For instance, they can do so by using the extra revenue to provide financial aid for schools and universities.

To sum up, although a great number of people believe that further economic development would not add up to personal happiness in already wealthy nations, it can in fact increase overall life satisfaction through improved healthcare and better education.