News - 22 October 2019 12:00

Improved public services key to better quality of life in Europe

(DUBLIN, IRELAND): Levels of trust and social cohesion have recovered overall in the EU since the financial crisis, perceived social exclusion has declined and there has been an increase in active citizenship and civic engagement. At the same time, however, nearly half of all Member States reported lower levels of average trust in national institutions in 2016 than previously and perceptions of tensions – between ethnic or racial groups, and between religious groups – were also more common than before the crisis, resulting in a significantly negative impact on trust in institutions. People with lower levels of perceived security in terms of housing, employment or old-age income have considerably lower trust in institutions than those with higher levels of certainty. These findings, based mainly on research carried out since 2016, are the result of a comprehensive review of the state of play regarding access to and quality of key services – health, long-term care, childcare and education presented in Eurofound’s flagship report ‘Challenges and prospects in the EU: Quality of life and public services’.

While the results present an uneven picture regarding service quality, they also give indications of how to offer more satisfactory support. Public services are recognised as a cornerstone of the European Pillar of Social Rights, with a particular focus on promoting access to quality services for all. Assessments of the quality of public services (particularly health care and childcare) have improved, particularly in countries where quality ratings were previously low.High levels of active citizenship and civic engagement reflect positive benefits, with great potential for further investment in this area to boost trust and cohesion.

Rates of loneliness, poor mental health and social exclusion are particularly high for older people in central and eastern Europe – in part due to poorly developed care services. There are also strong indications of increased risk of mental health problems among those aged 12–24 years, with many hard groups to reach, such as persons with chronic health problems, living in rural areas and not in education or employment. And while satisfaction with different aspects of health care has improved, many people were dissatisfied with being informed and consulted about their care – and this proportion was higher among people with low income.

This flagship report brings together in-depth contributions in the area of quality of society and public services, based mainly on research carried out since 2016. Recognising the fact that the quality of people’s lives is profoundly influenced by their access to quality provision in areas such as education, health, housing and social services, the report pays particular attention to regional and social inequalities and, where possible, changes over time.

Eurofound’s approach to quality of life in Europe is grounded in a concept linked to Eurofound’s mission and therefore relevance to the needs of policymakers among public authorities and social partners. It recognised that people’s everyday lives are played out in the context of living in a community and a society, framed by particular institutions and policies. Eurofound’s work consistently seeks to document and analyse the past with a view to helping to better shape and improve the future. Drawing on its wide-ranging analysis of quality of life and society in the European Union over many years, Eurofound aims to use this information, data and analysis to assist policymakers in understanding the progress made, defining the challenges which have emerged and outlining the steps that could be taken to improve the lives of all people living in the EU.

More information

Download the report ‘Challenges and prospects in the EU: Quality of life and public services’,
Peruse and read the report online ebook ‘Challenges and prospects in the EU: Quality of life and public services’
Flagship perspectives (executive summary, available in all 22 EU languages)
European Quality of Life Survey 2016 – Data visualisation

Additional information

Subscribe now and receive updates about Eurofound’s work in the area of Quality of life and public services
Quality of life and public services (topic page)
Public services (topic page)
Sign up for forthcoming publication 'Neighbourhood quality and public services' (policy brief)
Sign up for forthcoming publication 'Household composition and well-being' (report)
Access our data and resources: Social and employment situation of people with disabilities

Topics

Contacts

James Higgins

Press contact Communication Officer jhi@eurofound.europa.eu +353-1-204-3100

Måns Mårtensson

Press contact Media & Promotion Manager Media relations, marketing and promotion mma@eurofound.europa.eu +353-1-204 3124

EU on the horizon? Eurofound explores quality of life in the candidate countries

There are high levels of optimism for the future in most EU candidate countries – including for future generations. However, current material hardships, deprivation, urban-rural disparities, gender inequalities and demographic ageing are fundamental challenges, and could undermine the current positive climate and future social cohesion.

11 October 2019 17:00

Young people, particularly those low qualified, bear the brunt of social inequalities in Spain

This week Spain celebrates the Fiesta Nacional, and we mark the occasion by sharing our research data, findings and analysis to provide a snapshot of the country’s living and working conditions. Eurofound has been monitoring and reporting on living and working conditions in Spain, in comparison to other EU Member States, since before its accession to the EU in 1986.

20 June 2019 10:56

How can public services work more effectively to integrate refugees and asylum seekers?

Today is World Refugee Day, the international day to show solidarity and support to refugees. Eurofound has just published a new report, coinciding with this occasion, looking at the role of public services in integrating refugees and asylum seekers.

The majority of workers in Europe with a limiting health condition are not being supported in terms of workplace adaptation

24 October 2019 17:10

Just one in three workers with limiting chronic disease in adapted workplace

Just one in three workers in the EU whose daily activities are severely or somewhat limited by a chronic disease report that their workplace has been adapted to accommodate their health problem. This means the majority of workers in Europe with a limiting health condition are not being supported in terms of workplace adaptation.

Getting your hands on our research has never been easier

1 October 2019 15:05

Eurofound's upcoming research in 2019

With a new European Parliament in place, and a new Commission imminent, it's all change at European level. Eurofound's upcoming research for the rest of 2019 reflects both established priorities under its work programme, as well as ongoing developments in work and life in Europe.

This weekend marks the Austrian national day. What’s the working life situation in the country?

25 October 2019 16:45

Almost half of Austrian women work part-time to provide informal care

Austria has one of the highest female part-time rates in the EU. This is linked largely to a heavy reliance on informal care where 80% of those in need of long-term care are being cared for informally by a family member. The high level of part-time work (47.9% of women compared to just 8.1% of men) has significant consequences for Austria’s gender pay gap.

24 October 2019 15:16

Trust and social cohesion bounces back to pre-crisis levels across the EU

Contrary to a generalised concern about a ‘crisis of trust’ in the aftermath of the financial crisis, trust in national and EU institutions has bounced back to pre-crisis levels, while civic engagement has increased, and perceived social exclusion has decreased.

As Latvia celebrates its national day on Monday, we mark the occasion by sharing our research and analysis to provide a snapshot of current living and working conditions.

15 November 2019 12:45

Living standards and wellbeing improving in Latvia, but not for everyone

Quality of life in Latvia has improved significantly in recent years with the share of people struggling to make ends meet reducing from 76% in 2003 to 52% in 2016. At the same time, self-reported life satisfaction increased from 5.6 in 2003 to 6.3 in 2016 and happiness levels from 6.5 to 7.0.

25 October 2019 07:00

Healthcare in the twilight zone: Europe's squeezed middle struggle to access health services

People in the lowest income groups remain the most likely to report difficulties in accessing primary care services across the European Union, according to Eurofound research. More than 8 out of 10 people in the EU reported using health services in 2016, but many still struggle to access services, including those with incomes just above the threshold that would entitle them to state support.

18 February 2020 07:00

One in three households in EU is now single occupancy

A new analysis of EU-level data by Eurofound shows that one in three households in the EU is now single occupancy. Germany now has the largest proportion of the population living in single-person households, and large increases in the share of the population living alone have been reported in Lithuania and Bulgaria.

29 October 2019 15:30

Ageing Europe puts pressure on informal care

The high levels of reliance on informal care across EU Member States - with 15% or more of care being provided on an informal basis in countries such as Belgium, France, Latvia and Romania – comes with significant social and economic costs for both carers and society, including loss of employment, social protection expenditure, social isolation and the healthcare needs of informal carers.

5 November 2019 07:00

Cost is a barrier to early childhood education and care in Europe

While high-quality childcare and early education is of growing importance, both for children’s development and for facilitating women’s access to the labour market, Eurofound’s research shows that cost is an issue for four out of ten users of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in the EU.

Finland celebrates Independence Day on Friday and to mark the occasion we are sharing our research and analysis to provide a snapshot of current living and working conditions.

5 December 2019 13:15

Finland reports some of highest quality of life standards in the EU, but work-life balance is on the decline

Finland reports some of the highest quality of life standards across the EU with happiness, life satisfaction and trust ranking top across the EU28 – to name just a few areas of high performance.

29 November 2019 15:23

Trust in EU one of highest in Romania and quality of public services increase to near EU levels

As Romania celebrates its national day on Sunday, we mark the occasion by sharing our research and analysis to provide a snapshot of current living and working conditions.

30 May 2019 15:30

What now for Europe?

The votes have been cast, tallied and declared and we can now see the political landscape of the new European Parliament. To what extent have mixed developments in employment and quality of life contributed to the more fractured political landscape? And can the EU continue to deliver to the more diverse demands of citizens across Europe?