Behavioural Insights for the Public Sector

Governments around the globe are beginning to harness the power of behavioural insights. Many countries such as The United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are implementing reforms derived from behavioural science to improve their programs and services.

Behavioural insights can help governments understand human behaviour – why do we do the things we do; why do we make the choices we make; what influences our decision-making? Understanding the answers to these questions can help government to improve their programs and services.

By better framing choices for citizens, governments can encourage citizens to make decisions that are in their best interest. Saving for retirement, making healthy living choices, participating in benefit programs – these are all things that governments want to help its citizens do. Behavioural insights is a simple way to identify opportunities to encourage these choices and behaviours.