Measuring gender equality in quality of life satisfaction: A composite index for Italian regions

Gender disparities in quality of life satisfaction have been widely investigated, yet empirical evidence remains mixed. This paper aims to measure gender equality in quality of life satisfaction by developing a composite and partially compensatory index specifically designed to capture balanced gender outcomes across multiple life indicators. Using data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat) multipurpose survey Aspects of Daily Life , this study builds a Gender Equality Index of Quality of Life Satisfaction, based on women-to-men ratios and the Adjusted Mazziotta–Pareto Index (AMPI) methodology. The analysis is conducted at the regional level in Italy over the period 2018–2022, allowing for spatial and temporal comparisons before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The composite index integrates satisfaction-based indicators related to: Positive judgement of future perspectives, Leisure time satisfaction, Life satisfaction, Satisfaction with friends’ relationships and Satisfaction with family relationships . The results reveal substantial territorial heterogeneity in gender equality with persistent and structurally rooted disadvantages for women in several regions. While disparities appear limited when individual indicators are considered separately, the composite index highlights pronounced and enduring inequities, particularly in indicators related to time use and future expectations. The COVID-19 pandemic further amplified these disparities in several regional contexts.