Slovenians are overall more satisfied with life than is the average for new EU member states. This is according to a survey carried out by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
The results of the survey on the quality of life in Europe also show that living standards in Slovenia are closer to the old EU members than the other entrants, and the same goes for the feeling of subjective economic strain and understanding of housing standards.
According to Willy Buschak, the foundation's acting director, overall life satisfaction in Slovenia is among the highest among the new member states. The results of the survey show that low income, low education, low professional status and unemployment generally affect the quality of life more in less prosperous countries, he told the press Monday.
Compared to other European countries, Slovenians are much more optimistic about their future. As many as 27% of those questioned see their future as positive, while the average for the EU 25 is less than 20%. Slovakians are the most pessimistic among the citizens of new EU members, while Germans and Austrians top the list among the EU 15.
According to the survey, the average monthly gross income in Slovenia is EUR 757, which is more than in the new EU entrants, as well as more than in Greece, for example, and very close to the average income in Spain. According to Buschak, Slovenia can compare with France or Belgium in this respect.
The survey also sows that 24% of Slovenians cannot afford a week's annual holiday, which is the same as the average in the EU 15, while 8% report having difficulties in paying utility bills, or the same as the average in the EU 15. The share of those who feel subjective economic strain is the same as in the average for old member state as well, i.e. 12%.
Slovenia stands out in terms of home ownership without mortgage. As many as 80% of people own their homes, which is more than the average for new member states (66%) as well as the average for the EU 15 (38%). Slovenians own on average small, 1.5-room flats.
However, the survey also shows that Slovenians aged above 65 report lower subjective well-being than younger people. There are also greater differences in the understanding of quality of life among men and women as in other EU member states.
What causes concern is the data about the use of the Internet, as the survey shows that 61% of Slovenians do not use it. The figure is lower than the average for the new member states (75%), but higher than the average for the EU 15 (54%).
The survey of the Dublin-based European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions also shows how Slovenians are satisfied with their health, caring for the elderly or the disabled, the quality of health and social services, their fear of losing their job etc..
The survey was carried out in 28 European countries (the EU 25 plus Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey) in the summer and autumn of 2003, when more than 26,000 interviews were conducted. The results provide an important background for the future development of employment and social policy in Europe.
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