EurLIFE European Observatory on Quality of Life

Results of survey data analysis as well as qualitative research in the field of quality of life and public services are made accessible through the EurLIFE observatory. Its work is supported by a Network of Eurofound Correspondents across all EU Member States and Norway. ​

Quality of life and quality of society

In addition to individual circumstances and conditions, the quality of society has a major impact on citizens’ well-being. In recent years Europeans have reported a declining trust in society and institutions, societal tensions, economic and social insecurity as well as perceived inequalities and lack of fairness.

Public services

Public services are essential for achieving high levels of social protection, social cohesion and social inclusion. But it is the quality of and access to services that determines their success across a changing social and demographic landscape. The challenge for policymakers is to ensure the design and delivery of health and social services that meet the varied needs of citizens.

Featured

Addressing household over-indebtedness

The issue of over-indebtedness continues to be a concern, particularly among some population groups and in Member States where recent increases can be observed. This report provides an overview of the main causes, triggers and consequences of household over-indebtedness, including the costs to society. It then examines two policy responses in the EU and Norway: debt advisory services and debt settlement procedures. While the findings show that in the wake of the global financial crisis, such services and procedures have generally become more widely available and accessible, gaps remain. The overall aim of the report is to draw the attention of national and EU-level policymakers to ways to improve policy responses to household over-indebtedness.