Ranking of Top Five QLI: This is another section new to this round. Respondents are asked to rank from 1 to 5 the items they think are the most important indicators of the quality of life in their cities. Twenty-one items were listed for them to choose from.

Quality of Life: The Quality of Life Indicators most commonly mentioned in the top five are: health care, housing, employment, income, and literacy. If we consider only the first three ranks, then income is the most common (108 respondents) and health care is the second (97 respondents). Looking at the fourth and fifth rankings, we see employment (41 respondents) and housing (35 respondents) are the most commonly mentioned items.

Figure 6-1
Quality of Life Indicators: 1st Rank of Importance

Figure 6-2
Quality of Life Indicators: 2nd Rank of Importance

Figure 6-3
Quality of Life Indicators: 3rd Rank of Importance

Figure 6-4
Quality of Life Indicators: 4th Rank of Importance

Figure 6-5
Quality of Life Indicators: 5th Rank of Importance

Table 6-1
Top Four Items in Each Rank

Which quality of life indicators are important to the respondents in each country is an indication of that countries economic and social development. Table 6-2 shows the top item(s) for each rank by country.

Table 6-2
Top Item(s) for Each Rank by Country

From table 6-2, we can see that the more economical and socially developed countries tend to rank highly economic and environment related indicators. Japan, South Korea and Malaysia are the only countries to rank parks and open spaces and an important indicator of the quality of life in their cities. These three countries also rated income as the top ranking indicator of quality of life. South Korea and Malaysia also ranked air quality and being important.

In contrast to these more economically developed- countries is Pakistan. Respondents from Pakistan indicate their cities are struggling with the most basic problems that face growing urban areas. Utilities, such as sewage treatment, garbage disposal, and electricity, are the top three ranking quality of life indicators for Pakistan.

A trend similar to that discussed above can be seen in Table 6-3 where the countries are divided by region. Generally, East Asia is the most developed, followed by Southeast Asia, and South Asia. Level of development, again, seems to influence the ranking of quality of life indicators.

Table 6-3
Top Item(s) for Each Rank by Region