Behavioral Insights in Global Policy: Addressing Social Challenges, Advancing SDGs, and Bridging Cross-National Behavioral Diff

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of behavioral insights and global policy, addressing three core dimensions of the journal’s call: behavioral tools for global policy design, the role of behavior in advancing global development goals, and cross-national comparisons of policy-induced behavioral changes. Adopting a mixed-methods approach—including a systematic review of 2019–2024 policy cases, quantitative analysis of cross-national behavioral data (32 countries), and qualitative interviews with 50 global policy practitioners—it identifies key behavioral mechanisms shaping policy effectiveness. Findings reveal that “nudge-based” interventions (e.g., default opt-ins for carbon reduction) significantly improve compliance with international agreements, while behavioral barriers (e.g., risk aversion, information asymmetry) hinder progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 7, and 13. Cross-nationally, policy framing (e.g., collective vs. individual benefit messaging) explains variations in public health and environmental behavior: Nordic countries’ community-centric policies drive higher recycling rates, while East Asian nations’ emphasis on social norms boosts vaccine uptake. The study contributes to global policy theory by integrating behavioral economics into transnational governance frameworks and offers actionable strategies for policymakers to align public behavior with global priorities.