Over the past three years, various indices for measuring happiness and well-being have also made their debut in Russia. The pioneer was the Russian Cities Quality of Life Index, developed in 2021 by VEB.RF in collaboration with PwC (now known as Trust Technologies) and the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, in partnership with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI). This comprises an information and analytical system that, as of 2023, consists of several components:[22]
• A database encompassing data on over 300 indicators for 218 cities across Russia. It allows analyzing and comparing cities, including with their foreign counterparts (based on individual indicators).
• City profiles, offering a detailed portrait of each city and facilitating comparisons of specific indicators with the national average or a cluster of similar cities.
The Timchenko Foundation also developed the General Index of Child Well-being, introduced in 2021, followed by the RUSAL Cities Quality of Life Index in 2022. These indices share a similar structure and rely on specific indicators. In the following sections, we will delve into each of these indices in more detail and explore how they can be utilized to assess conditions in various regions.
This index, introduced in 2022, forms the basis of the company’s new social investment strategy. Irina Bakhtina, RUSAL’s Chief Sustainability Officer, explained that it is founded on criteria used by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as well as the VEB.RF Quality of Life Index.[23] The key distinction between RUSAL’s index and VEB.RF’s database lies in the population size of the territories under examination. RUSAL is interested in evaluating the quality of life and sustainability in cities and communities with populations of below 50,000.
66 indicators were considered in the development of this index, including statistical data (32 indicators), survey data (19 indicators), and information obtained through requests to regional and local authorities (15 indicators). RUSAL’s comprehensive tool covers 21 territories, including cities and municipal districts, across 12 dimensions of quality of life, categorized into three aspects: Values, Environment, and Potential.
“Values” include the following characteristics: 1) Work-life balance, leisure opportunities, and consumption of goods and services.
2) The ability to maintain regular contact with family and acquaintances, trust in the community, and a willingness to participate in social activities.
3) Satisfaction with life and confidence in the future.
4) Public safety.
“Environment” includes:
1) A comfortable, appealing, and diverse urban environment, encompassing streets, parks, and public spaces.
2) Good health and access to advanced medical care.
3) Favorable environmental conditions and an advanced waste management system within the city.
4) Availability of high-quality, well-maintained, and conveniently located housing.
The Happiness Research Institute suggests a unit of measurement known as WALY – life years adjusted based on the subjective level of well-being.
“Potential” comprises the following characteristics:
1) Access to employment opportunities that enable income and professional growth.
2) Extensive opportunities for receiving quality education for both children and adults.
3) Convenient transportation within the city and the ability to travel beyond its borders.