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Measuring the Condition of the World's Poor: The Physical Quality of Life Index.
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1981
Year
Capita GnpQuality Of LifeLife AssessmentPopulation PovertySocial IndicatorSocial DeterminantsSocial Determinants Of HealthPoverty ReductionHealth OutcomesSocial HealthPovertyHuman WellbeingPoverty AlleviationPublic HealthSocio-economic ImpactsEconomic InequalityLife ExpectancyHealth SciencesSocial InequalityEconomicsChild Well-beingHealth EquityLife IndexPoverty MeasurementPhysical QualityPopulation InequalityGlobal Health
The paper introduces the Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) as a new social indicator to assess welfare beyond traditional GNP measures. The PQLI combines life expectancy, infant mortality, and literacy to evaluate individuals' life chances and enable cross‑country comparisons. When paired with per capita GNP, the PQLI highlights key policy and scholarly questions. Published in 1979, the book spans 176 pages.
Measuring the Condition of the World's Poor: The Physical Quality of Life Index Morris David Morris Oxford; Pergamon. 1979. 176pp. ?3.00 pb In the research for a more complete and penetrating measurement of economic performance (GNP being an unsatisfactory measurement of the broad concept of 'welfare'), Morris introduces a new social indicator of development progress the Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI). A composite of life expectancy, infant mortality, and literacy, the PQLI is a new tool for assessing the life chances of individuals, and has the advantage of being relevant to comparisons within, as well as between, countries. Used in conjunction with per capita GNP, it raises important questions for policymakers and scholars.