The Quality of Life: An Analysis of Inter-Island Disparity and Emerging Issues

Abstract

This chapter compares the quality of life among 37 small island developing states (SIDS) based on Borda ranking rule. The data on 12 attributes of life for 2017 are used to rank the quality of life. These attributes of life cover not only the economic and physical indicators but also the institutional quality and political and civil liberties available to people. The results reveal that Barbados ranks first followed by Singapore on the ladder of quality of life. Most of Caribbean countries are in the top quintile of the quality of life ranking, whereas most pacific countries are in the fourth quintile. The performance of Haiti is the lowest and that of Guinea-Bissau the second lowest in the ranking of quality of life.