IELTS Writing Task 2 – Band 8.0 Sample

It is sometimes argued that beyond a certain level of wealth, further economic growth hardly makes citizens any happier. I largely agree with this view, although I accept that growth still brings some important benefits.

The main reason for my agreement is that, once basic needs are met, happiness depends more on non-material factors. In a poor country, higher incomes mean better food, housing and healthcare, which dramatically improve wellbeing. In a rich society, however, an extra car or a larger television adds little to life satisfaction. Surveys in several developed nations show that average incomes have risen steadily over decades while reported happiness has remained flat.

Furthermore, the pursuit of growth can actively reduce people's quality of life. To keep the economy expanding, people often work longer hours, spend less time with family and suffer from stress and burnout. Growth may also widen inequality, and people tend to judge their wealth relative to others, so rising prosperity at the top can leave many feeling left behind. In some wealthy Asian cities, for example, long commutes and overtime leave little time for leisure or family life.

That said, growth is not entirely irrelevant in wealthy nations. It generates tax revenue that funds hospitals, pensions and scientific research, all of which contribute indirectly to wellbeing. Without it, governments would struggle to support ageing populations. Countries with stagnant economies, for instance, often face rising unemployment, which is one of the strongest causes of unhappiness.

In conclusion, I agree that in rich countries extra growth does relatively little to raise happiness, since health, relationships and free time matter more. Governments should therefore measure success by wellbeing as well as by GDP.