The past few years have seen a noticeable trend at EU and international levels to compile indicators that allow comparisons between different countries.

An indicator is defined as a numerical measure of the quality of life in a country.

Accordingly, the 48 indicators comprising the publication run a wide gamut of social and economic statistics, among them education, social cohesion, employment and unemployment, occupational accidents, consumption and income, the national economy, agriculture, energy and the environment.

This book illustrates the extent to which social and economic statistics merge seamlessly into one.

A range of methodological aids has been provided with a view to a correct reading of the indicators. This is in line with the office’s policy of helping the digestion of its statistical output by means of a generous supply of metadata.

Apart from footnotes, each and every indicator is graphically represented and accompanied by a concise but informative definition. Furthermore, the appendix contains methodological notes which are specific to a number of the indicators being presented. These serve to put country comparisons in their proper perspective.

The book may be purchased from the Library and Information Unit for Lm3.