General life satisfaction

When asked about satisfaction with life in general, in the autumn of 2023 the inhabitants of the Flemish Region of 18 years and older gave themselves an average score of 7.3 out of 10. More than three quarters (78%) gave themselves a score of 7 or more out of 10, almost half (49%) a score of 8 or more. 5% of the inhabitants gave themselves a score lower than 5.

Compared to previous years, average general life satisfaction hardly changed. In spring 2023, the average score was also 7.3 out of 10 and there were similar shares with scores of 7 or more (79%), 8 or more (52%) and below 5 (6%). There were also no significant differences compared to previous measurements in spring 2022 and autumn 2021. Comparable figures on general life satisfaction for the period before 2021 are not available.

As far as background characteristics are concerned, there were no significant differences according to sex in autumn 2023.

However, there are limited differences by age. Overall life satisfaction is lowest among 35- to 49-year-olds (7.1) and highest among the over-65s (7.4).

According to household type, average satisfaction is lower among people living alone (6.8). The highest average satisfaction is expressed by those who live with a partner with children or without children (7.3 and 7.5 respectively).

The average satisfaction score also increases with higher education (from 6.9 among the low-educated to 7.4 among the highly educated).

Finally, there are differences in overall life satisfaction by degree of urbanisation. Overall life satisfaction is lowest among residents of central cities (6.9) and highest in rural areas (7.4).