This invention is a ratio (or equation) to monitor the economic well-being of nations and other social systems: V=R:N (economic vitality M is determined by the natural resources [R] available to a social system, in relation to the system's resource needs [N]). With clear and specific definitions of products, natural resources, social systems, and other related terms that make said ratio viable, said ratio can be programmed into a system-wide computer network, accepting input relating to needs and resources from throughout the system and issuing an alert in the event of a negative ratio (a condition in which needs for any specific resource exceed the system's access to that resource).