Level of living: A conceptual framework for monitoring regional variations in well-being

Knox P. L. (1974) Level of living: A conceptual framework for monitoring regional variations in well-being, Reg. Studies 8, 11-19. Recent interest in the development of social indicators has reflected a concern for the "quality of life" in many industrial nations, but a major problem has been the lack of a cohesive conceptual and theoretical framework. It is suggested that the well-established concept of level of living can provide such a framework. The concept is outlined in detail, with special reference to existing spatial applications. A working definition applicable to contemporary British conditions is proposed, and several important issues relating to the quantification of the concept are considered. It is concluded that within Britain there exists a sufficient range of indicators from which an index could be derived and used both as a descriptive instrument within regional and social geography and as the basis of a central, policy-oriented monitoring of regional variations in well-being.