Territorial social welfare: estimation of a regional territorial qualities index
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2026-2502Keywords:
rural development, social well-being, territorial analysis, factor analysis, composite index, territory, quality of life, ruralityAbstract
Introduction: This study reports the challenge of measuring social well-being in rural areas in the context of globalization and the liberalization of agricultural markets. In response to these dynamics, a territorial approach to rural development is proposed, focusing on endogenous strategies, sustainability, and improved quality of life in structurally vulnerable and demographically dispersed regions. Methodology: A social well-being index was developed based on eleven standardized indicators, following the methodology recommended by the OECD. The analysis was applied to 15 municipalities in the Antequera region, all of which are beneficiaries of the European Union’s LEADER and PRODER development programs. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine latent dimensions and assign corresponding weights to each indicator. Results: The statistical model revealed five main components: electoral transparency, quality of life, employment prospects, skilled labor, and consumption potential. Among the municipalities studied, Antequera reported the highest well-being index, while Villanueva de la Concepción scored the lowest. These results highlight considerable territorial disparities influenced by variables such as infrastructure, human capital, and access to basic services. Discussions: The analysis shows that the synthetic index effectively reflects the strengths and weaknesses of rural municipalities, providing a solid foundation for designing region-specific public policies. It underscores the importance of disaggregated data in tailoring strategies to local realities. Conclusions: The proposed index is a valid tool for assessing rural well-being. Future studies should expand the sample to include other provinces in southern Spain and replicate the methodology in rural territories across Latin America to support comparative regional analyses.
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