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The OECD Better Life Initiative: How's Life? and the Measurement of Well‐Being
Author(s) -
Durand Martine
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
review of income and wealth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.024
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1475-4991
pISSN - 0034-6586
DOI - 10.1111/roiw.12156
Subject(s) - dimension (graph theory) , sustainability , dissemination , selection (genetic algorithm) , index (typography) , regional science , public economics , well being , quality (philosophy) , environmental economics , economics , business , political science , computer science , telecommunications , sociology , world wide web , ecology , mathematics , artificial intelligence , pure mathematics , law , biology , philosophy , epistemology
This paper presents the framework used by the OECD for defining and measuring well‐being, developed as part of the OECD Better Life Initiative launched in 2011. This framework measures well‐being by considering 11 dimensions covering both current material conditions and quality of life, while also recognizing the importance of taking account the sustainability of well‐being in the future. This framework has been populated with indicators for each dimension, whose selection has relied on international standards on measurement and was made in consultation with experts and N ational S tatistical O ffices of OECD countries. The paper also discusses the pros and cons of various approaches for presenting and disseminating information on multidimensional well‐being to different audiences—including the OECD Better Life Index , an interactive web tool. The paper concludes by illustrating the progress made in developing measures of well‐being and outlines the statistical agenda ahead to improve existing indicators and develop new ones.