As most say unsatisfied with lot, new index to measure quality of life

Cypriots are not satisfied with their lot in life, a survey released on Wednesday showed in which 84 per cent of those questioned said they believe the level of corruption on the island to be very high.

At the same time, only 31 per cent said they were very satisfied with health services, 27 per cent for education, 18 per cent for social justice, 13 per cent for economic wellbeing and environment, 12 per cent for media freedom and a mere 5 per cent were happy with the level of participation in political life.

In the same poll, of 1,000 participants by an independent research organisation some 85 per cent said social responsibility and education respectively had an impact on their lives, followed by economic wellbeing at 83 per cent, 78 per cent said environment and labour market, digital access (73 per cent), corruption (69 per cent), gender equality (66 per cent), health (63 per cent), social justice (55 per cent) and participation in political life (30 per cent).

The results were presented during an event to launch a barometer in Cyprus that will measure how quality of life is perceived on the island.

The experts are seeking to find the measurable variables that can be used to define quality of life and what would be the benefit of developing a National Quality of Life Index for the development of policies and strategic decisions in the public and private sectors.

“Officially, there are no measurement tools to be able to know the real impact of these actions and whether these actions and synergies are having the desired or expected effect,” they said.

The Center for Social Innovation (CSI) and Oxygono have now developed a National Quality of Life Index for Cyprus (Cyprus Quality of Life Index).

The results of this index will be used, in cooperation with social partners, to develop policies, legislation, national strategies and actions that will contribute to a better functioning of the social, political and economic ecosystem.

The index will measure 14 aspects of the social and professional life of citizens in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) set by the United Nations in 2015. To gauge local sentiment, participants in the survey rated the impact each of the 14 aspects has on their lives, as well as their level of satisfaction today, five years ago (before the pandemic) and ten years ago (before the economic crisis).

Similar indexes in the EU include the Eurobarometer and the European Social Survey.

“The index will be released annually for use by all decision-makers, in the hope that the policies and strategies developed will be for the benefit of a better society where all citizens have the opportunity to improve their quality of life,” the team said.