Writing Task
Some experts believe that after a country becomes wealthy, additional economic growth does not necessarily make its citizens happier. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Task Analysis
It is an ‘Agree or Disagree’ type of task, and requires us to take a clear stance on whether we believe further economic growth leads to more happiness after a country reaches a certain level of wealth. We’ll agree with the statement that additional economic growth does not significantly increase citizens’ happiness. Our key opinion is that happiness depends more on factors like mental well-being, work-life balance, and social fulfillment than on financial prosperity alone. Wealth can contribute to happiness only up to a point; beyond that, other aspects of life take precedence.
In terms of structure, we’ll use a three-body-paragraph format to organize the essay. In the first body paragraph, we will focus on how wealth does not equate to emotional fulfillment, using research about mental health issues in wealthier countries to support our argument. The second body paragraph will discuss the negative impact of work-life imbalance in wealthier countries, explaining how the pressure to work more for maintaining or improving one’s lifestyle can decrease overall happiness. In the third body paragraph, we will acknowledge the counterargument that economic growth improves public services but emphasize that beyond a certain level, happiness is influenced more by social factors like community and freedom.
We’ve used a three-body-paragraph structure in the previous tasks, including this one, which is a common illustration of an unbalanced argument. It is effective when there is a stronger and more manageable side to the debate. If necessary, you are free to simplify the first two body paragraphs that provide evidence for your position into a single one.
Writing Sample
Some experts argue that once a certain level of wealth is reached, further economic growth no longer enhances citizens’ happiness. I agree with this perspective, as happiness depends on factors such as mental well-being and work-life balance, not just financial gains.
One reason why additional economic growth might not necessarily lead to greater happiness is that wealth does not equate to emotional fulfillment. Higher incomes often have little positive impact on people’s general happiness once their basic needs are met. For example, research indicates that despite having stable economies, people in wealthy nations are more prone to stress and mental health issues. This suggests that mental health and personal satisfaction are not solely addressed by material prosperity.
Another problem is that people frequently have to work more to maintain or raise their level of living as nations become wealthier. This results in an imbalance between work and life, which lowers happiness. People may feel under pressure to work long hours, leaving little time for leisure or family life, in countries with rapid economic growth. As a result, even with a rise in wealth, their general quality of life may decline.
However, some may argue that economic growth is still necessary for well-being because it increases access to public services like healthcare and education. While more development does not always translate into greater contentment, especially once basic needs are met, happiness may be more influenced by other social factors, including a sense of belonging and individual freedom.
In the end, economic progress does not guarantee happiness in the long run, even though it can improve living conditions to some extent. A truly happy society must prioritize other areas, such as mental health and personal fulfillment, beyond a certain level.
