Living conditions apartment in the apartment

European Quality of Life Survey

In 2003, Eurofound launched its European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) which documents the living conditions and social situation of European citizens. It has carried out four editions of the survey since 2003, the latest in 2016. 

EQLS data on living conditions include information on housing (tenancy type, dwelling inadequacies including energy poverty, housing insecurity), utility arrears, reported difficulties in making ends meet, material disadvantage (deprivation and economising), access to local services, as well as overall satisfaction with standard of living. 

Eurofound’s approach recognises that ‘quality of life’ is a broader concept than ‘living conditions’, and therefore has a broad range of indicators that enable an analysis of various living conditions in relation to overall well-being of individuals in a society. In this broader understanding, the survey the EQLS is informative about living conditions in terms of work–life balance and gender equality, quality of life of people with disabilities, and quality of care services. A range of the survey data can help evaluate progress towards implementing the key principles of the Social Pillar and complement indicators of the Social Scoreboard.

Through the EQLS, Eurofound can compare trends over time, which permits some conclusions to be drawn regarding progress towards greater convergence in Europe, in terms of Europeans’ living conditions and perception of their lives.

A series of reports accompanies each survey edition, including an overview report and a number of more detailed analytical reports. 

Other living conditions research

Based on various sources and approaches, Eurofound has also looked at the social situation of specific groups, including young people and those over 50, families and young people living with their parents and in multigenerational households, the working poor and the economically inactive population. Research has also been carried out on indebtedness, reducing the non-take-up of social benefits, the living conditions of the Roma, as well as living conditions in urban versus rural areas. 

Data and resources

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  Data explorer: European Quality of Life Survey 2016
  
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  European Industrial Relations Dictionary entry: Social investment package