Measuring Localisation Nationally to Form a Global Index

- We summarise determining localisation metrics.
- We use localisation metrics to form a global localisation index.
- We identify the most localised places.
- We explore why these places might be localised.
- We recommend potential applications for the GLI.

Localisation is an important sustainability strategy that may reduce the harmful socio-ecological effects of economic globalisation. This article describes the development of a localisation metric set, and the formation of a composite, multi-criteria global localisation index (GLI). The index comprises 103 countries from across the global North and South, for which the required data was available. In forming the GLI, secondary source data was gathered according to localisation-expert determined metrics, which were then weighted, standardised, scored and ranked. Bhutan, which tops the GLI, may do so due to the prioritisation of socio-ecological health and participative democracy there, as in many Latin American countries that also achieve high localisation scores whilst minimally compromising sustainability thresholds. The GLI may assist those seeking to strategise localisation as it identifies the most localised places, which may serve case study purposes.