Comprehensive Evaluation of the Objective Quality of Life of Chinese Residents: 2006 to 2009

This study performs a comprehensive evaluation of the objective quality of life (QOL) of the 31 provincial administrative
divisions in Mainland China from 2006 to 2009 with principal component analysis (PCA). The objective QOL in China generally
decreases gradually from the eastern coastal regions to the western inland regions, with a significant gap between the east
and the west. Furthermore, the QOL shows an irrational developmental pattern with the natural conditions and the geographical
position as the foundations, and economic development as the dominant factor. Cluster analysis is then used to analyze further
the regional structural characteristics of the QOL in China. The results indicate the existence of mutual distinctions and
internal differentiations among the eastern, middle, and western regions. The temporal analysis shows that the QOL in China
demonstrates a continuous increase from 2006 to 2009, with a growth rate that speeds up annually. However, the increase does
not mean a harmonious development in all aspects of society, but the rapid progress of socio-economic well-being, and the
slow development or even deterioration of eco-environment and social security. The tendencies of the QOL in the four socio-economic
regions coincide with that of the national average and the QOL of the middle and western regions increase significantly faster
than that of the eastern region. However, the disparities between the eastern region and the middle and western regions expand
because of the huge base of regional development differences in China.