Quality of life in the EU: Trends in key dimensions 2003-2009

The European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) allows comparisons over time in different dimensions of quality of life. Between 2003 and 2007 during relative economic prosperity there has been a noticeable increase in subjective quality of life, especially in the 12 new EU Member States. Data from 2009 highlight that the economic crisis has had an impact on quality of life, especially for the most disadvantaged groups and for people in the new EU Member States. The documentation of change in quality of life and the development of policies to increase well-being are increasingly to the fore in EU policy debate. While it is argued that the goal of public policy should be assessed in terms of promoting well- being of Europe's citizens, it is also increasingly acknowledged that economic indicators, such as GDP, are important but inadequate measures of the well-being of countries. A more comprehensive approach to monitoring the complex reality must include consideration of social and environmental, as well as economic conditions. These considerations are reflected in recent initiatives from OECD and the European Commission, including the new Europe 2020 Strategy, which is "putting people first", as well as the Sarkozy Commission report on 'Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress'. They all emphasize a multidimensional approach when considering the well-being and quality of life of people. Eurofound is contributing to this exercise in part with its concept (see Box 1) and its distinguished tool to measure it: the European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) series. These surveys permit some mapping of trends and developments from 2003 to 2007 and, with a smaller number of questions included in a Eurobarometer, changes up to September 2009.