In the period 2004-2023, 8 of the 10 domains that make up the Well-Being Index (IBE) showed positive evolution, according to estimates from the National Statistics Institute (INE).

Personal security was the domain with the “most pronounced” positive evolution.

The IBE reflects the evolution of the population's well-being using indicators that reflect two analysis perspectives: material living conditions and quality of life.

These two perspectives presented different behaviours. The Quality of Life index was “always higher” than the Material Living Conditions index, with the exception of 2009 and from 2021 onwards, according to the same source.

The preliminary estimate for 2023 from the Wellbeing Index (IBE) points to an improvement compared to the previous year, maintaining a period of continuous growth since 2012, interrupted only in 2020. “This year, marked by the covid- 19, there was a decrease of 1.5 percentage points (p.p.) in relation to the previous year, even so lower than that seen in 2012 (2.0 p.p.)”, specified INE.

The IBE in Portugal evolved almost always positively between 2004 and 2023, reducing in 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2020. During this period, it went from 22.7 to 46.0, mainly due to advances made in the assessment of material living conditions.

As of 2012, the domains of the environment and personal safety were those that exhibited the highest values ​​in the Quality of Life index, “thus reflecting Portugal's relevant position in these areas, in international terms”, noted the statisticians, highlighting, in the opposite sense, “the low values ​​assumed by the index of the domain of civic participation and governance”.

The domain of economic well-being showed “significant growth” until 2010, reversed the trend until 2012 and began a recovery since then, only interrupted in 2020, according to information highlighted by INE. Although there were increases in the last three years, in 2023 it was at an even lower level than in 2019.

“The behaviour of this index highlights the level of inequality and concentration indicators, which assumed the highest values ​​in the period”, indicated the authors of the report.

The two indicators relating to family wealth were not only those with the most contained evolution but also those with the lowest values.

Although the domain of economic well-being and respective indicators have shown positive evolution, in 2023 they reached values ​​that are, on average, close to 30 (on a scale of 0 to 100).

Employment is the well-being component with the second most unfavourable evolution when considering the entire period 2004-2023.

“However, if only the period after 2012 is considered, it is the domain that presents one of the most pronounced positive variations”, highlighted the INE, adding that the indicators of unemployment rates for the active population, young people and with a higher level of education.

It is also estimated that the health domain occupies third place in relation to the seven domains that constitute the quality of life perspective, in terms of favourable evolution, between 2004 and 2023.