Statisticians put on happy face with index charting China's well-being

After decades of measuring progress in terms of hard economic data, mainland authorities are set to chart the state of the nation's well-being with the introduction of a happiness index.

National Bureau of Statistics chief Qiu Xiaohua said on Tuesday that the agency would calculate the happiness index as part of efforts to meet the demand of developing of a harmonious society. Indices for 'innovation' and 'social harmony' would be included.

'The happiness index will include people's feelings towards their living conditions, such as income, employment, social welfare and the natural environment,' he said. 'The more satisfied they feel about their lives, the higher the index will be and vice versa.'

Mr Qiu said the bureau was surveying farmers on their living conditions during the agricultural census and the information gathered would be collated and used to calculate the happiness index.

Shenzhen Academy of Social Sciences director Le Zheng said the index could help the central government assess the performance of local authorities by putting a numerical value on the happiness level of people across the country.

Professor Le said the happiness index could also provide a true assessment of the effectiveness of government programmes. He said developed areas with high economic growth might have a low rating in the index.