Objectively Measured Quality of Life: the Case of Lithuanian Municipalities

Abstract

Objective locally built potential to support, sustain and fulfil human needs, along with respective subjective individual experience of fulfilling these needs constitute the quality of life (QoL) in the local place phenomenon. The common concept of QoL in the local place anticipates that overall individually perceived QoL is constituted both by objective local living conditions as well as subjective individual experience and evaluation of external conditions in the local place. By following this conceptual model of quality of life in the local place, the article looks at the quality of life in the municipalities of Lithuania only from the perspective of objective measurement. As many other countries, Lithuania also faces development challenges related to huge disparities in socio-economic conditions among its local regions. The application of objective QoL measurement methodology for the analysis of the case of municipalities in Lithuania exemplifies the potential provided by the QoL measurement to investigate opportunities to achieve more equal development by the means of QoL improvements. Almost 40 objectively measured indicators are selected and used to conduct the research. The results of the research allow us describing the quality of life profiles of Lithuanian municipalities. These profiles are considered relevant inputs for QoL improvement strategies building processes.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ss.78.4.3234