Geographical patterns of overall well-being across municipalities of andalusia

The aim of this paper is to analyse whether the well-being of the 770 municipalities of Andalusia (Spain) in 2009 responded to geographical patterns. We have developed a synthetic index of well-being via the P2 Distance method that incorporates economic and non-economic indicators, and which proves more robust than traditional methodological approaches. The availability of high-speed networks, income and demographic factors have the greatest influence in determining wellbeing. About 52% of the population still enjoys a level of well-being above regional average. The well-being level is lower in rural municipalities than in urban municipalities. The spatial econometrics applications show that well-being is not geographically distributed in a random way in Andalusia, but exhibits spatial autocorrelation. We have quantified that the well-being measured in a given municipality is related to the well-being of its neighbouring municipalities up to a distance of about 38km. We have identified clusters of municipalities in terms of well-being, as well as the weak and strong points of each group. This paper highlights the need to coordinate policies that are currently designed and structured within a local context and, in a wider context, suggests that European regional policy should focus its efforts on improving the quality of life rather than simply trying to equalize incomes.