Yes. Measuring inequality or happiness etc would seem better but are they quantitative and objective? I don't know how this human condition metric is quantified. I will look it up though. Moreover this has the same problem as GDP. Supposing every one is happy and there is very little inequality in the society. But it does not tell me anything about the actual economic progress. Unless I define progress as reducing inequality, in which case this argument is moot.

Any sources of that metric that aren't plagued by political bias, be it progressives or neocons?