Our report concludes with seven recommendations about the measurement of wellbeing. The Oxford Foundation of Knowledge Exchange hopes that they will be of value to a variety of organisations and initiatives around the world.

1. Measure Life Quality in Multiple Domains

Quality of life depends on work, family and home, community and physical environment and the achievements on all these dimensions can and should be monitored.

2. Involve A Range of Stakeholders in the Development of Such Data

It is important, if not vital, to involve people in their roles as citizens or service consumers in the development of data both for relevance and use.

3. Standardise Measures

At national and international level, there is a need for countries to standardise on some key questions to facilitate international comparisons.

4. Measure Across the Life-Course

Life quality indicators should be developed that are relevant to all age groups and in the relevant major settings, home, education, work and care.

5. Use Panel Data where Possible

Many of these life quality indicators should be embedded within panel surveys (e.g. household) so that high quality analyses can be performed which in turn will contribute to policy use.

6. Use and Develop Data on Opportunities, Abilities and Constraints

Measures of opportunities and constraints are forward looking and offer a particularly policy relevant way forward for reflecting the multi-dimensionality of life quality and concepts such as autonomy and empowerment.

7. Use (some) Subjective Measures

Subjective wellbeing can be measured reliably and its use in good quality models sheds light on the drivers of happiness as people experience it.