Module 6: Measuring wellbeing
Subjective and objective wellbeing indicators
When selecting indicators to measure wellbeing, remember that this is not a purely technical process. Technical experts play a leading role in identifying the data that is available and advising on the strengths and weaknesses of potential indicators. Yet, for the indicators to have public legitimacy, it is important to make sure that the chosen indicators resonate with a broad range of stakeholders (see Module 5).
Indicators that are used to measure wellbeing tend to encompass both subjective and objective indicators:
Objective wellbeing indicators capture the objective dimensions of wellbeing, such as life expectancy, levels of poverty and air quality.
Subjective wellbeing indicators look at wellbeing and quality of life as seen through people’s own eyes. They include measures of life satisfaction, happiness, people’s experience of positive and negative emotions, as well as measures of people’s sense of meaning or purpose in life.
Incorporating both objective and subjective wellbeing indicators enables insights into people’s wellbeing circumstances as well as their experiences within these circumstances.
Click on the Deep Dive card to find out more about common criteria for selecting wellbeing indicators.
The last decades have seen a rapid increase in the development of wellbeing metrics in many countries. Yet, in other countries, as well as at more local levels such as in regions and cities, wellbeing data may not be readily available for certain wellbeing outcomes. This can be a driver for collecting additional wellbeing data. Alternatively, qualitative approaches can be used to fill in some of the gaps, for example by building a Community Portrait of Place (see Section 6.3).