Ease of living
Topic: Measuring Development: Income, HDI and Sustainability · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 7 "Physical Infrastructure"
Meaning
Ease of living means a better everyday quality of life, made possible by good infrastructure and services. These include housing, water supply, transport, safety and communication. It matters because income alone cannot buy many of these things. They depend on public provision and good governance.
Example
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) ranks Indian cities on its Ease of Living Index. Editions came out in 2018 and 2020. Its pillars include quality of life, economic ability, sustainability and citizen perception. A city with reliable tap water, safe public transport and good internet scores higher.
Don't confuse with
- Ease of doing business: this measures how easy it is for firms to start up and operate. Ease of living measures daily life for citizens.
Related concepts
- Gross National Happiness
- Happiness economics
- Easterlin paradox
- Social Progress Index
- Wellbeing economy