Findings show prospect of a recovery in 2025 and potential for private capital to make the biggest impact on social outcomes in a decade
NEW YORK, February 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading global wealth manager AlTi Tiedemann Global, Inc. ("AlTi") (NASDAQ: ALTI) unveiled today the 2025 AlTi Global Social Progress Index in partnership with the Social Progress Imperative. The Index measures the performance of 170 countries across key drivers of social progress including health, safety, education, infrastructure, rights and more since 2011.
This year’s Index shows that after a decade of steady growth in social progress up to 2020, the world has since stagnated. In the last year, 73 countries (43%) experienced little or no social progress, and 25 countries (15%) had a significant decline. This starkly contrasts with global economic performance with most economies having recovered from COVID and continuing to grow. This suggests that recent global development has been largely economic in nature. AlTi believes private capital could be critical to driving more inclusive world performance and bridging the gap between economic and social progress.
Looking ahead, the AlTi Global Social Progress Index shows the prospect of a recovery in 2025 with opportunities to drive the biggest social impact in a decade. For the first time, the Index is being used to shine a light on opportunities for private capital to make a tangible difference to some of the world’s biggest social challenges. In particular, the Index shows that there is an opportunity to accelerate progress through investments in four key areas explored more fully below: a healthier world, rebuilding rights and freedoms, sustainability and gender equity.
The global slowdown in social progress was also tested at the polls in the last year, with over half the world holding elections in 2024. A majority (79%) of those voters lived in a country with stagnating or declining social progress, and 8 out of 10 of them voted for change last year. This widespread voter dissatisfaction is even more striking given the generally positive economic record of many of the incumbents.
The trend is exemplified by countries such as the United States, which has declined in social progress both since 2011 and year-over-year, as well as the United Kingdom, which has been stagnating in social progress since 2018. Both countries unseated their governing party last year in a shake up to the status quo. Lack of social progress, even when there is economic growth, therefore appears to have fueled a desire for change among voters globally.
Beyond the changes in government that will undoubtedly shape the world this coming year, private capital will have a key role to play in making economic growth more sustainable and inclusive to support a social progress recovery.
Four key areas with scope for private capital to accelerate social progress
Investment in infrastructure and technology can boost health outcomes
Hunger, lack of access to clean water, and sanitation are the greatest blights on human health and a significant area for progress. For example, the Index found that half the world is experiencing a hunger crisis and progress on undernourishment has reversed since 2011. Investment in the production, supply, and distribution of food, water and sanitation has strong potential to make social progress gains.
The developed world also faces health challenges, including confidence in quality healthcare, which has slumped in many advanced economies, while demand is likely to grow due to aging population. Investment in new healthcare technologies and harnessing opportunities from AI to enhance productivity all offer significant opportunity for investors to make a difference.
Protecting rights through capital flows towards accountability
There has been a decade-long retreat on rights and freedoms across all regions, developed and developing. This is the only Index indicator that shows negative progress globally since 2011. Yet countries like Brazil and Poland, where there has been political change away from authoritarian governments, have shown these rights rebounding.
Continued flows of capital towards human rights groups and other civic organizations, as well as independent media outlets to defend basic freedoms and promote accountability of government, would support this positive momentum.
Sustainability remains an untapped opportunity for innovation
Environmental solutions continue to present an opportunity given the slow rate of progress globally. Lower-income regions such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa still face a tradeoff between increasing economic opportunity and reducing pollution. New energy technologies have huge potential to solve this dilemma but will require significant investment, particularly in developing countries.
There is also a significant untapped market across the world for taking circularity seriously, through the reuse of waste and reduction of material consumption.
Continued investment is needed to drive gender equity
Recent decades have seen gains for women’s health and education, but progress has been slower on increasing access to contraception, early marriage, and, in particular, preventing domestic violence. Tackling these problems through investment in gender equity can support the potential of women globally.
Michael Tiedemann, CEO of AlTi Tiedemann Global, commented:
"Our clients are some of the most discerning and dynamic capital holders in the world, and collectively private capital has the power to make a tangible difference to the world’s most pressing problems. The Index shines a light on the specific areas where private capital can make the biggest difference, at a time when the world has plateaued on social progress. We hope that the Index will serve as an actionable and practical tool to drive faster social progress for the benefit of all."
Jed Emerson, Senior Strategic Advisor to AlTi Tiedemann Global, commented:
"As a global wealth manager, it’s our job to help our clients put their capital to work in ways that have meaning for them, whether that be in healthcare, education, environmental protection or any other issue they might be passionate about. We look at value not just through the lens of generating returns, but also impact – how you want your money to work. The Index shows that there is unprecedented opportunity to generate value through social progress."
Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative, added:
"The AlTi Global Social Progress Index demonstrates that economic growth alone will not deliver social and environmental outcomes. Voters have delivered their verdict at the polls in the last year, rejecting leaders who delivered growth without social progress. Investors have a critical role in enabling and accelerating inclusive and sustainable growth through investments in the real things that matter to real people."
About the AlTi Global Social Progress Index
The AlTi Global Social Progress Index was developed by the Social Progress Imperative under the guidance of Professor Michael E. Porter of Harvard Business School and Professor Scott Stern of the Sloan School of Management at MIT to provide a comprehensive measure of the real quality of life in a country, independent of economic indicators like GDP.
The AlTi Global Social Progress Index is conceptually anchored by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and uses 57 outcome indicators drawn from trusted sources to score and rank 170 countries.
The AlTi Global Social Progress Index shows that, while economic growth is correlated with high social progress, economic growth alone is not enough. Countries of similar GDP per capita can have widely different levels of social progress and growth without social progress is a real risk. An impact lens can help investors optimize for financial and social returns.
AlTi is a leading independent global wealth manager providing entrepreneurs, multi-generational families, institutions, and emerging next-generation leaders with fiduciary capabilities as well as alternative investment strategies and advisory services. AlTi’s comprehensive offering is underscored by a commitment to impact or values-aligned investing. The firm currently manages or advises on over $77 billion in combined assets and has an expansive network with approximately 440 professionals across three continents. For more information, please visit us at www.alti-global.com.
About Social Progress Imperative
The Social Progress Imperative, a US-based global nonprofit, is pioneering the use of social and environmental data to support decision-makers in prioritizing equitable and inclusive growth. Its evidence-based tools measure the true state of our society on issues that matter most – are people healthy and safe, do they live in an inclusive society, do they have access to opportunity, and more. Supported by a global network of local partners and advocates in more than 50 countries, the Social Progress Imperative’s tools help identify social vulnerabilities and opportunities to inform policies and investments that promote the well-being of people and the planet.
