Quality of life
Topic: Measuring Development: Income, HDI and Sustainability · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 1 "Development"
Meaning
Quality of life is a person's overall well-being. It depends on money and material goods. It also depends on things that are hard to measure, such as equal treatment, freedom, security, respect and friendship. In some cases these matter more than income. NCERT warns that "what cannot be measured is not important" is a wrong conclusion.
Example
Before taking a job in another town, you weigh the pay against facilities for your family, the working atmosphere and the chance to learn. A lower-paid but secure job can raise your sense of security. A high-paid job that is insecure and leaves no time for family lowers your security and freedom.
Don't confuse with
- Standard of living: This is the material well-being that income buys. Quality of life is wider, because it also counts non-material things like freedom and respect.