First European Quality of Life Survey: Families, work and social networks (summary)

Family support, social contacts and an adequate work–life balance are essential factors in overall quality of life for individuals. However, time constraints resulting from changing work and family patterns are having a negative impact on personal life. People are finding it difficult to find time to look after older people and children and due to work pressures often put off starting a family until they are older. A recent Foundation report explores quality of life from the point of view of households and families in Europe. This paper is a short summary of the main findings of the report.