This Compendium represents one of the first attempts to respond to the demand for comparative information on the conditions of people's lives in developed market economies. Previous contributions in this field have focused on the conditions of poorer countries and on a more narrow range of dimensions (e.g. Human Development Index). This Compendium extends these efforts on both fronts.

It is a preview of the type of measures that will be included in the "How's life?" report to be released in October 2011.

The OECD plans to issue similar reports in the future on a recurrent basis, and to enrich the set of dimensions and indicators in the light of experience gained and of progress made in implementing better measures.

Download the Compendium in PDF:

Download the Compendium (1.5 MB)

Or by chapter:

I. Introduction

II. Material Living Conditions

III. Quality of Life