Normas de valoración

On the whole, satisfaction with family and personal life is higher than satisfaction with the quality of society and public services. A large proportion of people report difficulties in accessing health services and have concerns about the quality of health and care services available. In general, the countries with the most serious difficulties in this respect are the same as those recorded in the first survey. In the context of an ageing Europe – and especially considering the high levels of poor health and disability reported by older people in the NMS12 – this represents a key challenge.

The quality of society, both locally and more generally, is a fundamental element of quality of life. This survey covers new issues compared with the first survey, specifically to address some of these key themes for public policy. When asked to rate their trust in others, people in the Nordic

countries and the Netherlands expressed the highest levels of trust; however, unemployed people or those in other vulnerable groups were less confident. Respondents were asked to rate the degree of tension between different groups in their country. The results indicate that the perception of tensions between rich and poor people now appears to be more prevalent in the CC3 and NMS12 – a factor that may reflect greater income disparities in these countries following their transition to market economies. In contrast, citizens in the EU15 are more often concerned by tensions between different racial or religious groups than by gender or intergenerational conflict. Overall, the EQLS results regarding social trust and perception of societal tensions emphasise the urgent need to address new issues of social relations and social cohesion.

These conclusions give some indication of the themes that will be explored further using the EQLS data. While the results presented in this report indicate some priorities and key challenges, a better understanding of the current social situation, and of how to improve it, will come with more detailed analysis. Eurofound will look in the first instance at a comparison between the results of the 2003 and 2007 surveys. Key policy themes that will be the subject of forthcoming reports will include social exclusion, quality of society and family life in Europe.

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Delhey, J., Eurofound, Life satisfaction in an enlarged Europe, Luxembourg, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2004, available online at http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/htmlfiles/ ef03108.htm.

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European Commission,Working together for growth and jobs. A new start for the Lisbon Strategy, COM(2005) 24, Brussels, 2005b.

European Commission, A roadmap for equality between women and men 2006–2010, COM(2006) 92 final, Brussels, 2006a.

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European Commission,Joint report on social protection and social inclusion 2007, Luxembourg, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2007a. European Commission, Modernising social protection for greater social justice and economic cohesion: Taking forward the active inclusion of people furthest from the labour market, COM(2007) 0620 final, Brussels, 2007b.

European Commission, Together for health: A strategic approach for the EU 2008–2013, COM(2007) 630 final, Brussels, 2007c.

European Commission, Renewed Social Agenda: Opportunities, access and solidarity in 21st century Europe, COM(2008) 412 final, Brussels, 2008a.

European Commission,A better work–life balance: Stronger support for reconciling professional, private and family life, COM(2008) 635 final, Brussels, 2008b.

European Commission,Proposal for the joint report on social protection and social inclusion 2008, COM(2008) 0042 final, Brussels, 2008c.

Eurostat, ‘Labour market latest trends – 3rd quarter 2007 data’, Eurostat Data in Focus, Population and social conditions, 4/2008, Eurostat, 2008.

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HH0. (INT.: ENTER THE INTERVIEW NUMBER ON THE CONTACT SHEET)

CONTACT SHEET NUMBER: ________________

HH1. I’d like to start by asking you a few questions about your household.

Including yourself, can you please tell me how many people live in this household? (INT.: WRITE DOWN THE EXACT NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD)

HH2. (INT.: NOW OBTAIN INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO ENTER ON HOUSEHOLD GRID ON NEXT PAGE, STARTING

WITH THE RESPONDENT)

a. (INT.: CODE THE GENDER OF THE RESPONDENT IN GRID BELOW) b. Starting with yourself, what was your age last birthday? c. (INT.: SKIP FOR RESPONDENT)

d. (INT.: SHOW CARD D)Which of these best describes your situation?

HH3. (INT.: FOR SECOND HOUSEHOLD MEMBER, START WITH THE OLDEST MEMBER OF THE HOUSEHOLD. REPEAT GRID

QUESTIONS A-D FOR ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.)

Now thinking about the other members of your household, starting with the oldest … a. Could you tell me whether this is a male or a female?

b. What was this person’s age last birthday?

c. (INT.: SHOW CARD C)What is this person’s relationship to you? Is he/she your …? d. (INT.: SHOW CARD D)Which of these best describes your situation?