Discussions about the measurement of social progress have been intensified again during the last years, on international as well as on national levels. There is empirical evidence that economic indicators like the GDP miss the costs of environmental damage and social cohesion and are perhaps misleading political decisions. Especially the integration of this traditional and pivotal key number into National Sustainable Strategies highlights simultaneously some shortcomings of the national product approach, because Sustainable Development typifies a much more normative and overarching framework. The study recapitulates the most important shortfalls and vacancies of the GDP figures. Founded on this analysis, the question of possible complementary indicators has been discussed.