Cross-District Multiple Indicators of Quality of life and well- Being in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Determinants, Variations and Future Outlook

Abstract

Quality of Life (QoL) is a multidimensional concept encompassing many aspects of an individual’s, community’s, and country’s existence and being. It is not just a measure of material resources at their disposal but of other more intangible resources and environments which produce effects which enhance their quality of life. The study attempted to concentrate on the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and look at the Quality of Life and Well-being of individuals in thirteen of its districts representing its major population. It followed an integrative approach to measuring Quality of Life. QoL encompasses not only the material aspects of life like income, employment, housing etc but also the more intangible non-material factors like family, social cohesion, trust etc; influencing it. The method of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to tackle with multidimensionality as well as explain variation in QoL and Well-being. Weighted Factor Score (WFS) were used as an index for ranking districts for QoL and well-being on the basis of social indicators chosen in different domains of life. Both descriptive and multivariate regression analysis was done to estimate the determinants of Quality of Life and Well-being taken as the Overall Experience of Life (OEL). The results show that the majority respondents use public facilities and regard them as good except for public transport. They are mostly not satisfied with their education level and accommodation standards, however, find their health and social life satisfactory. Majority respondents can barely cover their basic expenses, however can just about afford to keep their houses comfortable and have meat or fish weekly and buy new clothes. Most are concerned about their jobs and feel insecure. There is mostly an optimistic response about the future, however they feel their lives are not as they would have wanted them to be and get a sense of belittlement due to their job status or income. However majority say they are not inclined towards corrupt behaviour. There is however a considerable amount of distrust in institutions and political participation is low. Social interaction is healthy as far as close family is concerned. Majority are of the view that people do not follow traffic rules, disregard caring behaviour in public and evade taxes. Majority of the respondents also believe that a good quality of life requires good education, a steady job, standard accommodation, wholesome family life, good health and a fair amount of social life. The districts with high urban disposition top the ranks in quality of life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, like Peshawar, Mardan, Swat and xii Charsadda, while Bannu, Kohat and Lower Dir fall amongst the bottom districts in terms of quality of life. The rural/urban ranking also follows similar patterns with a few exceptions. There is a need to increase the quality and access of public amenities, opportunities of employment, education and health access, affordable and quality housing, encourage building social networks, transparency in institutions, encouragement of civil society involvement, stricter tax rules and penalties, and lastly an utter need to gear up and equip statistical offices and databases for future research in the area of Quality of Life and Well-being as are presently deficient.