What is quality of life?

Author: Kelsey Zhao | Reviewer: Rachel Abel | Published: 26 February 2025 | Updated: ~

Quality of life (QoL) measures the different parts of an individual’s life to try and paint a picture of how well they are doing and how satisfied they are with their life. This might include things that an outsider could measure, like housing, income, employment, and health status. This can also include things that are based on an individual’s own values and aspirations, like whether they are satisfied with their current life and whether they feel their wants and needs are fulfilled.

QoL can be difficult to measure since individuals have different values and expectations for life. These values, expectations, and priorities can also change over an individual’s lifetime. Assessments used in research will not always accurately reflect how an individual weights different life components. QoL scores can also be influenced by regional differences in cultural values, access to care, and the accessibility of the surrounding environment.