Quality of life in Europe: Trends 2003‑2012
Published: 4 February 2014
Eurofound has conducted the European Quality of Life Survey EQLS) in 2003, 2007 and 2011. This report compares the results from the three waves to provide evidence of trends and change in the quality of life of Europeans over a decade. It also examines whether differences across EU Member States have narrowed or remained stable. One of its findings is that subjective well-being has remained stable across the EU as whole, but it also finds that financial strain in households has grown in the wake of the economic crisis. The report proposes a more active approach to social protection, as lower household income is a strong negative influence on quality of life, and especially so in an economic downturn.
The executive summary for this publication is available in PDF format.
Learn more about the authors of this publication.
ISBN
978-92-897-1126-5
Number of pages
114
Reference no.
EF1364
ISBN
978-92-897-1126-5
Catalogue number
TJ-01-13-478-EN-C
DOI
10.2806/46819
Permalink
This section provides access to content that is related to the publication.
27 November 2012
What determines life satisfaction and happiness? How do we value our social situation and immediate surroundings? How has this changed with the economic crisis? For the third wave of the European Quality of Life survey, 35,500 Europeans in all EU Member States were interviewed, in an effort to gain insights to these questions. This overview report presents findings and trends and shows that the impacts of the recession are indeed noticeable and measurable in some areas, while in others there are more long-term developments to be observed. While overall life satisfaction levels have not changed much, optimism about the future and trust in institutions have declined markedly in those countries most affected by the downturn. And groups that were already vulnerable – the long-term unemployed, older people in central and eastern Europe and single parents – report the highest levels of material deprivation and dissatisfaction with their life situation.
