History suggests that the selection of indicators reflects the thinking of the time.
The Romans conducted census surveys to assist in the accurate collection of taxes and the USA measured national income as an indicator of wealth and well-being in the 1920s. Despite the success of economic indicators in capturing and relaying key information to decision-makers and the General public, however, their deficiencies were also apparent.
Since the Rio Earth Summit, many organizations, led by those associated with the United Nations, have begun to develop indicators as tools for monitoring progress made towards the broad goals of sustainable development. Agenda 21, the most important document to emerge from Rio, places considerable emphasis on the need to monitor sustainable development using indicators.
Chapter 40, for example, notes that indicators can provide a solid base for decision-making at all levels. The UNCSD followed up on this interest in monitoring and approved a work program me on indicators of sustainable development, which came to fruition in 1996 with the publication of the UN’s Indicators of Sustainable Development Framework and Methodologies.
As a result of this increased importance, many public and private sector bodies are looking to establish their own monitoring systems. Governments, as well as citizens, like to see the results of their efforts and indicators can act as a means of encouragement when times are tough, or to reveal the size and immediacy of a problem when change is needed. Indicators thus become evidence of professionalism and transparency.