Medically reviewed by Dr. Andreas Laurencius, MD
Why Quality of Life Matters
What makes a good life? Is it money, health, relationships, purpose—or something else? While we all have our own ideas, governments, researchers, and healthcare providers also need ways to measure quality of life to make better decisions. From shaping public policy to improving hospitals, understanding what makes life “better” has become a serious scientific pursuit.
But measuring something as personal and complex as life quality isn’t easy. This article explores where the idea came from, how it’s measured today, and what science says about the things that truly matter.
A Short History of Quality of Life
Ancient Roots
Long before we had surveys and statistics, philosophers asked what it meant to live well. Aristotle called it eudaimonia, or human flourishing. In ancient China and India, people spoke of balance, harmony, and enlightenment. These early ideas focused more on meaning and character than comfort or wealth.
The Industrial Age
As modern economies grew, societies began measuring progress in terms of wealth—especially Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But by the mid-20th century, critics pointed out that a growing economy didn’t always mean people were happier or healthier.
A Broader View Emerges
In the 1960s and 70s, researchers and governments started creating broader “social indicators” that looked at health, education, safety, and the environment. Over time, new tools like the Human Development Index (HDI) and the World Happiness Report began offering alternatives to GDP.
What Does “Quality of Life” Really Mean?
There’s no single definition, but most experts agree that quality of life includes both:
- Objective factors: income, housing, education, health, and safety
- Subjective factors: how people feel about their lives—satisfaction, happiness, and sense of purpose
Different fields emphasize different things:
- Psychologists focus on emotions, meaning, and mental well-being
- Economists often look at income, employment, and living standards
- Doctors and health experts focus on physical and mental health
- Philosophers and ethicists ask deeper questions about values, dignity, and freedom
How Scientists Measure Quality of Life
Surveys and Indexes
Researchers use many tools to measure life quality, including:
- World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire
- Gallup World Poll, which measures happiness, stress, and life satisfaction
- OECD Better Life Index, which covers 11 dimensions like work-life balance, safety, and civic engagement
These tools often combine hard data (like income or life expectancy) with self-reports from people about how they feel.
In Healthcare
Doctors use quality of life measures to decide on treatments, especially for chronic illness or aging. Tools like Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) help weigh the benefits of medical interventions by asking: Will this improve the patient’s life, or just extend it?
Brain and Body Clues
Neuroscience and biology are also getting involved. Brain scans, stress hormones, and even gut health can reflect our emotional states. While this science is still developing, it suggests our sense of well-being is tied to measurable physical processes.
Different Cultures, Different Priorities
Not everyone values the same things. For example:
- In Western countries, personal freedom and achievement are often seen as key to happiness.
- In many Asian, African, or Indigenous cultures, community, harmony, and spirituality may matter more.
This means global tools must be adapted to respect different values, languages, and lifestyles. A “one-size-fits-all” approach can lead to biased or misleading results.
How Quality of Life Measures Are Used
In Government
Policymakers use quality of life data to:
- Design better cities
- Reduce poverty and inequality
- Improve access to healthcare and education
- Track the impact of climate and environmental changes
Countries like New Zealand, Bhutan, and Scotland are pioneering “well-being budgets” that go beyond GDP.
In Medicine and Public Health
Doctors and researchers use QoL data to:
- Prioritize treatments
- Improve patient care
- Address mental health and burnout
It’s especially important for diseases where cure is unlikely, and improving comfort becomes the main goal.
In Our Own Lives
Understanding what boosts or drains our quality of life—like relationships, sleep, or work stress—can help us make better personal decisions, too.
Well-Being Budgets: A New Measure of National Progress
In an era when traditional economic indicators—like GDP—no longer tell the full story of a nation’s health, a small but growing number of countries are reframing what it means to govern well. Rather than asking how much their economies grow, they are asking how well their people live.
New Zealand, Bhutan, and Scotland are among the leading nations experimenting with what are known as well-being budgets—government frameworks that prioritize human flourishing, mental and physical health, social connection, environmental sustainability, and equity alongside (and often above) financial performance.
New Zealand: Prioritizing Mental Health and Equity
In 2019, New Zealand became the first Western nation to officially introduce a well-being budget. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government pledged to focus public spending on what genuinely improves people’s lives. Funding was reallocated to address long-term challenges such as child poverty, domestic violence, indigenous inequality, and the mental health crisis—issues that had been sidelined by decades of narrow economic accounting.
Crucially, New Zealand’s Treasury began measuring success using broader indicators of well-being, including life satisfaction, social belonging, and environmental quality. The country’s Living Standards Framework offers a multidimensional view of national progress.
Bhutan: Gross National Happiness as Policy
Bhutan has long been a global outlier in this conversation. Since the 1970s, it has famously measured national success not by Gross Domestic Product but by Gross National Happiness (GNH). This framework incorporates psychological well-being, cultural preservation, ecological resilience, good governance, and living standards as core components of public policy. While Bhutan is a small and unique nation, its model offers an ethical challenge to the global development paradigm: What if happiness—not consumption—were the primary aim of governance?
Scotland: A Wellbeing Economy in Practice
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been a vocal advocate for what she calls a “wellbeing economy”—one that values kindness, health, and shared prosperity over perpetual growth. Scotland joined New Zealand and Iceland to form the Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) partnership, dedicated to rethinking the goals of economic systems. Budget decisions now weigh the social and environmental impact of policies, not just their market returns.
These experiments reflect a deeper cultural and philosophical shift. In the face of climate crisis, inequality, and mental health epidemics, forward-thinking governments are starting to acknowledge that economic growth is not synonymous with progress. Instead, they are embracing a more integrated, data-informed, and humane approach—one that aligns closely with the principles of Integrated Humanism: respecting individual dignity, supporting community health, and using science and wisdom to guide public life.
Science Abbey affirms these efforts as living laboratories of governance—prototypes for a future in which nations are measured not by how much they consume, but by how effectively they manage the well-being of their jurisdiction’s environment and people.
The Challenges Ahead
Despite progress, measuring quality of life isn’t perfect. Some challenges include:
- Too much focus on numbers: Reducing life’s complexity to a score can miss the bigger picture.
- Cultural blind spots: Many tools were created in wealthy Western countries and may not apply elsewhere.
- Unequal experiences: A country’s high score can hide deep inequalities within its population.
Still, the idea that “progress” should mean better lives, not just bigger economies, is gaining ground.
A Fuller Picture of What Matters
Quality of life isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living better. It includes joy, meaning, safety, connection, health, and opportunity. Measuring these things may be tricky, but doing so helps us build a more compassionate, informed, and human-centered world.
As science, technology, and global cooperation advance, so too can our ability to understand—and improve—the everyday lives of people around the world.
Understanding Quality of Life Measures: History, Perspectives, and Scientific Foundations
Introduction
“Quality of Life” (QoL) has become a central concept in public health, economics, psychology, and governance. Though widely used, its definition and measurement vary across disciplines and cultures. This article explores the historical evolution, diverse interpretations, and the scientific methodologies underpinning quality of life measures, with the aim of clarifying their role in policymaking, healthcare, and societal development.
I. Historical Evolution of Quality of Life Measures
1. Early Origins
The roots of quality of life thinking can be traced to ancient philosophy. Greek thinkers like Aristotle considered “eudaimonia” (flourishing or well-being) as the highest human good, beyond material wealth. In Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist traditions, quality of life was linked to harmony, virtue, and spiritual balance rather than possessions or status.
2. Post-Enlightenment Developments
With the Enlightenment came a new focus on empirical human progress. Thinkers such as Jeremy Bentham promoted utilitarianism—seeking the greatest happiness for the greatest number—as a measure of societal success. However, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, industrial societies largely relied on economic indicators like GDP to assess national development.
3. Mid-20th Century: The Rise of Social Indicators
In the post-WWII era, dissatisfaction with purely economic metrics led to the development of social indicators. The 1960s and 70s saw the birth of the social indicators movement, with researchers like Raymond Bauer and organizations such as the OECD and UN promoting broader metrics including health, education, and environment.
4. Contemporary Frameworks
From the 1990s onwards, there has been a proliferation of formal QoL frameworks, including:
- Human Development Index (HDI) by the UNDP
- World Happiness Report
- OECD Better Life Index
- Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) in health economics
II. Theoretical and Disciplinary Perspectives
1. Philosophical and Ethical Views
- Utilitarianism sees QoL in terms of subjective happiness or utility.
- Capabilities Approach (Amartya Sen, Martha Nussbaum) measures quality of life based on what people are able to do and be—emphasizing freedom and opportunity rather than outcomes alone.
- Virtue Ethics and Human Flourishing focus on character, purpose, and relationships as central to life quality.
2. Psychological Perspectives
- Subjective Well-Being (SWB) encompasses life satisfaction, emotional states, and perceived fulfillment.
- Positive Psychology (e.g. Martin Seligman’s PERMA model) emphasizes positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs suggests a developmental model in which quality of life improves as basic, psychological, and self-fulfillment needs are met.
3. Economic and Policy Frameworks
- Welfare Economics uses utility functions and preference satisfaction as proxies.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) and QALYs/DALYs in healthcare assign quantitative value to life quality in monetary or health-adjusted terms.
- Social Progress Index includes rights, access to knowledge, and personal safety beyond income.
III. Scientific Foundations and Methodologies
1. Measurement Tools
- Survey Instruments: WHOQOL, SF-36, EuroQoL (EQ-5D), and Gallup World Poll.
- Composite Indexes: Combine indicators across domains such as health, education, income, environment, and civic engagement.
- Longitudinal Studies: Follow populations over time to assess how life conditions affect well-being.
2. Neuroscience and Biology
Emerging science links life satisfaction with:
- Neurochemical states (e.g. serotonin, dopamine)
- Stress biomarkers (e.g. cortisol levels)
- Brain regions (e.g. prefrontal cortex and limbic system activity)
These findings provide biological correlates of reported well-being but also raise ethical concerns about reductionism.
3. Cross-Cultural and Contextual Validity
Quality of life measures are often criticized for being Western-centric. For example:
- Individualist vs. Collectivist cultures may weight autonomy vs. social harmony differently.
- Material vs. Spiritual priorities vary across religious and philosophical traditions.
Culturally adaptive tools are now being developed to improve relevance and inclusivity.
IV. Applications and Challenges
1. Policy and Governance
Governments are increasingly using QoL measures in:
- Urban planning
- Environmental regulation
- Social welfare programs
- Education and mental health initiatives
2. Healthcare and Medicine
- QoL assessments guide treatment decisions, especially in chronic illness and palliative care.
- QALYs and DALYs influence public health budgeting and global health priorities.
3. Criticisms and Limitations
- Over-quantification: Reducing life’s richness to numbers may miss subjective and existential dimensions.
- Cultural bias: Many tools lack validity across cultures.
- Inequity: Aggregated scores can mask disparities within populations.
Towards a Holistic Science of Quality of Life
Quality of life is inherently multi-dimensional, bridging the subjective and objective, the material and the existential. As global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and mental health crises demand more human-centered policies, robust and inclusive QoL measures offer a vital guide.
The future of these metrics lies in interdisciplinary synthesis—combining data science, philosophy, psychology, economics, and cultural wisdom to create a truly comprehensive understanding of what it means to live well.
“Quality of life of an individual ultimately contributes to the collective wellbeing of the community.”
—Dr. Andreas Laurencius, MD
How to Assess Your Quality of Life
You don’t need a formal questionnaire to start. Try reflecting on these core areas:
1. Health
- Do you feel physically well and energetic?
- Are you getting regular sleep, exercise, and healthy food?
2. Emotional Well-being
- Are you mostly content or frequently stressed?
- Do you experience joy, gratitude, or a sense of peace?
3. Relationships
- Do you have people you trust and enjoy spending time with?
- Do you feel supported and valued?
4. Purpose and Meaning
- Do you have goals that matter to you?
- Are you engaged in something bigger than yourself—family, work, art, volunteering, spirituality?
5. Work and Daily Life
- Do you feel fulfilled or drained by your work or routines?
- Do you have time for leisure, creativity, or learning?
6. Freedom and Security
- Can you make your own choices?
- Do you feel safe—physically, financially, and emotionally?
Write down your answers or rate each on a scale from 1 to 10. This self-inventory helps you notice areas needing more attention or change.
Tips to Improve Your Quality of Life
1. Invest in Relationships
- Spend quality time with people you care about.
- Practice active listening, appreciation, and forgiveness.
2. Move Your Body Daily
- Even a short walk improves mood, energy, and brain function.
- Find something you enjoy—dancing, hiking, swimming, yoga.
3. Practice Mindfulness
- Try meditation, journaling, or simply being present during routine tasks.
- Mindfulness reduces stress and boosts clarity and happiness.
4. Focus on Sleep and Nutrition
- Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep.
- Eat whole, nutrient-rich foods and stay hydrated.
5. Pursue Purpose, Not Perfection
- Set meaningful goals and take small steps toward them.
- Align your work or hobbies with your values.
6. Simplify and Declutter
- Clear physical and mental space—declutter your home, digital devices, or to-do list.
- Simplicity can reduce anxiety and increase focus.
7. Do Something Generous
- Helping others—through kindness, volunteering, or donations—boosts your own well-being.
8. Reconnect with Nature
- Spending time in green or blue spaces (parks, forests, water) improves mood and reduces stress.
9. Limit Screen Time
- Too much social media or news can drain attention and increase anxiety.
- Try tech-free hours or days.
10. Celebrate Small Wins
- Acknowledge progress, however small.
- Gratitude and positive reflection rewire your brain for optimism.
Final Thought
Improving quality of life is not about chasing perfection—it’s about making daily choices that align your body, mind, relationships, and values. By checking in regularly and making gentle adjustments, you can live not just longer, but better.
DOWNLOAD OUR PRINTABLE SELF-ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET
