Satisfaction with Life and Service Delivery in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union : Some Insights from the 2006 Life in Transition Survey. World Bank Working Paper, No. 162

The past two decades in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union have been times of tremendous change, with countries undergoing rapid transformation from centrally-planned to market-oriented economies. While poverty increased during the initial years of transition, primarily on account of the sharp economic contraction, the resurgence of economic growth in the region since 1998 has resulted in a rebound in household incomes and living standards. Data from the 2006 Life in Transition Survey (LiTS)—a joint initiative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank—provides a unique opportunity to investigate the extent to which citizens of ECA countries are satisfied with their lives and with the performances of their governments, and to study key factors influencing their outlook in a systematic way across all countries of the region. The main objective of the LiTS was to assess the impact of transition on people, covering four main themes. First, it collected personal information on aspects of material well-being, including household expenditures, possession of consumer goods such as a car or mobile phone, and access to local public services and utilities. Second, the survey included measures of satisfaction and attitudes towards economic and political reforms as well as public service delivery. Third, the LiTS captured individual "histories" — key events and episodes that may have influenced their attitudes towards reforms, and information on family background, employment, and coping strategies. Finally, the survey also attempted to capture the extent to which crime and corruption are affecting peoples' lives, and the extent to which individuals' trust in other people and in state institutions has changed over time. The main objective of the Life in Transition Survey (LiTS) was to assess the impact of transition on people, and so the survey questionnaire covered four main themes. First, it collected personal information on aspects of material well-being, including household expenditures, possession of consumer goods such as a car or mobile phone, and access to local public services and utilities. Second, the survey included measures of satisfaction and attitudes towards economic and political reforms as well as public service delivery. Third, the LiTS captured individual 'histories' through transition from around 1989 to the present, especially key events and episodes that may have influenced their attitudes towards reforms, and collected information on individuals; family background, on their employment situation, and on coping strategies during transition. Finally, the survey also attempted to capture the extent to which crime and corruption are affecting peoples' lives, and the extent to which individuals' trust in other people and in state institutions has changed over time. This volume presents the main findings of three studies by World Bank economists using data from the 2006 LiTS. Chapter one examines quantitative and qualitative dimensions welfare in countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, with 'satisfaction with life' being the key welfare measure used. Chapter two analyzes socioeconomic characteristics of different income groups across countries, and shows how the welfare measure derived from the LiTS provides a very useful and effective means to measure household welfare and/or rank households by relative economic status, both within as well as across countries. Finally, chapter three focuses on three interlinked questions: (i) why are some people more likely than others to use publicly provided health services? (ii) What are some of the key influences on users' satisfaction with quality and efficiency of medical treatment received? And (iii) how does the prevalence of informal payments impact people's decision on using publicly provided health services, and upon use, the level of satisfaction with services received? Key Factors Affecting Satisfaction With Life In Eastern Europe And The Former Soviet Union -- Employment, Sources Of Income, And The Poor In Eastern Europe And The Former Soviet Union -- Satisfaction With Publicly-provided Health Services In Eastern Europe And The Former Soviet Union. Salman Zaidi ... [et Al.]. Includes Bibliographical References. Presents an opportunity to investigate the extent to which citizens of ECA countries are satisfied with their lives and with the performances of their governments, and to study key factors influencing their outlook in a systematic way across various countries of the region. This title assesses the impact of transition on people. Key factors affecting satisfaction with life in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union Employment, sources of income, and the poor in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union Satisfaction with publicly provided health services in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.