This paper provides brief background information on a number of topics foreseen for discussion in Session 2 ‘Living conditions’: satisfaction with standard of living; the relationship between age and life satisfaction; work–life balance and gender; perceived tensions between different societal groups; and optimism about the future. The findings derive from one or more waves of Eurofound’s European Quality of Life Survey, conducted in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2016. Comparing trends over time permits some conclusions to be drawn regarding progress towards greater convergence in Europe, in terms of European’s perception of their lives and the societies they inhabit.
Foundation Forum 2017: Converging economies, diverging societies? Upward convergence in the EU