Quality of life in Europe: Trends 2003‑2012

Eurofound has conducted the European Quality of Life Survey EQLS) in 2003, 2007 and 2011. This report compares the results from the three waves to provide evidence of trends and change in the quality of life of Europeans over a decade. It also examines whether differences across EU Member States have narrowed or remained stable. One of its findings is that subjective well-being has remained stable across the EU as whole, but it also finds that financial strain in households has grown in the wake of the economic crisis. The report proposes a more active approach to social protection, as lower household income is a strong negative influence on quality of life, and especially so in an economic downturn.