How to get high GDP per capita and wages?

[harrisone16]

I have high SOL and GDP but can’t seem to meaningfully increase my GDP per capita. Even with low taxes and high health care, any advice?

[Alex]

Use the automation PMs to reduce the number of unskilled laborers as far as possible.

[harrisone16]

Would that be the cause that over 50% of my pops say "below expected standard of living"?

[Alex]

Originally posted by harrisone16:

Would that be the cause that over 50% of my pops say "below expected standard of living"?

1. Certain techs, as well as the overall literacy level raise the "expected SoL" treshold.
2. At some point, meeting this level of expectations on a laborer's wage will become impossible. You can prolong it with universal healthcare and wage subsidies, but it won't last long, and subsidies are expensive.

Therefore, you have to do three things:
1. Make the consumption goods less expensive. Wall off your market with tariffs if necessary.
2. Give the people better, higher-paying jobs.
3. Avoid negative modifiers. For example, a head of state with the "cruel" trait will give a permanent -1 to SoL as long as they're in office.

Of course, it is possible to lower the "expected SoL" treshold by intentionally keeping the literacy low, and by not researching certain techs, but this is not recommended.

[harrisone16]

So de-peasanting should be one of my first goals?

[Alex]

Originally posted by harrisone16:

So de-peasanting should be one of my first goals?

Getting the peasants out of subsistence should be your first goal, regardless of any other factors:
1. This is a highly inefficient usage of your workforce.
2. The peasants don't contribute much to the economy (consumption reduced by 90%)
3. Their SoL is capped at a very low level.
4. The aristocrats/landowners leeching off of their labor are a major political roadblock.

Even promoting the peasants to laborers will be a significant upgrade.