The excellent data gathering and analysis in The Spirit Level (Google it) shows that living conditions in developed countries are not affected by GNP per person. For example the US is the richest developed country and the poorest developed country to live in. Conversely, Japan is an economic basket case and best developed country to live in.

Living conditions in 23  developed countries correlate beautifully with income inequality (top 20% of income earners divided by bottom 20% ). The lower the inequality, the better the living conditions.

It would be quite a shift for the Globe and Mail to have a Report on Living Conditions since Report on Business has been such an integral part of the Globe. The Report on Business is appropriate for developing countries since their living conditions do depend on wealth. It is no longer appropriate for Canada, except of course for the business people. They grow wealthier with a bigger GDP/person.

Now, how to decrease income inequality. A challenge.