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Fuzzy Multidimensional Indicators of Quality of Life: The Empirical Case of Macedonia

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Abstract

Quality of life must be measured within a multidimensional framework preferably inclusive of objective and subjective indicators that add to the information gathered through economic or monetary-only indices. This paper reports on the first application of the fuzzy set approach to quality of life measurement. The application uses the 2012 data for Macedonia collected by Eurofound during the third wave of the European Quality of Life Survey. The fuzzy approach, developed in the early 1990s, proves to be highly consistent and efficient in this empirical application when compared to distribution analyses. In addition, it is also statistically robust. Both the theoretical background and the application of the approach are described. The fuzzy set provides relevant added value for both data analysts and data users as it presents results easily and concisely, facilitates comparison and cross-reference between dimensions, and allows for the consolidation of monetary and non-monetary aspects of life quality.

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Notes

  1. JRR is based on the sampling structure and takes into account stratification and clustering. EQLS 2012 is based on 16 Strata (8 NUTS3 regions by urban/rural) and 100 PSUs (primary selection units) (see Table 6, p. 17, Eurofound 2013), which constitute a good basis for JRR variance estimation.

  2. For instance, while analysing poverty dynamics, it would be interesting to observe the intersection of the two dissimilar sets ‘being poor at time t − 1’ and ‘not being poor at time t’, i.e. the fuzzy measures of ‘exit from poverty’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Siena, P.zza S. Francesco 8, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Gianni Betti

  2. Progress Consulting S.r.l., Reggello, Firenze, Italy

    Rossella Soldi

  3. Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

    Ilija Talev

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  1. Gianni Betti
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  2. Rossella Soldi
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  3. Ilija Talev
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Correspondence to Gianni Betti.

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Betti, G., Soldi, R. & Talev, I. Fuzzy Multidimensional Indicators of Quality of Life: The Empirical Case of Macedonia. Soc Indic Res 127, 39–53 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-0965-y

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