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A Reference Point-Based Proposal to Build Regional Quality of Life Composite Indicators

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Abstract

There is a growing interest in research on the role that space plays in defining and measuring well-being or quality of life. In this paper, we propose to evaluate the regional quality of life using the Multi-Reference Point based Weak Strong Composite Indicator approach, to further enhance the quality of the sub-national analysis. The major motivation is to facilitate assessing the regional quality of life performance at different geographical scales and compensability levels. As an example of application, we compute the composite indicators for 19 Spanish regions to paint a comprehensive picture of the regional quality of life using two different geographical scales: the Spanish and the European ones. Moreover, we provide warning signals to regional, national and European policy-makers on the quality of life dimensions in which each region needs further improvements.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project PID2019-104263RB-C42), from the Regional Government of Andalucía (Project P18-RT-1566), and by the EU ERDF operative program (Project UMA18-FEDERJA-065).

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Correspondence to Ana Garcia-Bernabeu.

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Garcia-Bernabeu, A., Cabello, J.M. & Ruiz, F. A Reference Point-Based Proposal to Build Regional Quality of Life Composite Indicators. Soc Indic Res 164, 11–30 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02818-0

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