Windshift's Quality of Life Index [2004]
"In 2003 I conducted an in-depth assessment of sources of quality of life. The outcome was a Quality of Life index based on a set of four factors, covering
Financial satisfaction
Health and fitness
Stress levels
Personal optimism
The graph below shows the distribution of people aged 18-64 across that Quality of Life Index in 2003 and 2004. It's a typical normal curve with most people clustered in the middle of the distribution.
copyright Windshift Communications Ltd
Greater quality of life is most strongly associated with higher household incomes (over $60,000), working in a well-managed workplace (as mentioned above) and giving priority to pleasurable activities such as entertainment, having nice things and travel. The fruits of the consumer lifestyle.
In terms of the individual components of our quality of life measure, a very consistent 45% of the 18 to 64 population has admitted to frequent stress in each of the past three years, though the sources of that stress seem to vary.
A surprisingly high proportion of that 18-64 population (57%) believe they are at "peak health and fitness".
Those over sixty seem quite generous in their self-perceptions with 73% agreeing they are at peak health and fitness - significantly more than in lower age groups. Perhaps just turning up counts for more at that age.
In terms of financial satisfaction, the 2004 figure of 60% satisfied is significantly higher than our 2003 measure of 51%. Unlike overall quality of life, financial satisfaction is positively correlated with home ownership.
Optimism for a better future forms the fourth element of quality of life. Typically this is higher among younger than older people who tend to believe the future will bring more of the same.