The overall life satisfaction indicator will report on the percent of Puget Sound residents that perceive different levels of life satisfaction. This indicator will be used as a baseline from which to assess changes in status for most of the other human wellbeing Vital Sign indicators. The overall life satisfaction indicator will also enable better understanding of how trends in environmental health or recovery efforts are affecting overall human wellbeing.
Respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with life overall on a five-point scale from 'Dissatisfied' (1) to 'Satisfied' (5).
Key Vital Sign Indicator Results
The mean Life Satisfaction of the Puget Sound population is close to 'satisfied' at an average 4.5 on a five-point scale. This is slightly higher than other regions of the United States, according to the World Happiness Report.
The mean life satisfaction for the 2021 Latinx purposive sample was slightly lower at 3.98 ('somewhat satisfied').
Life satisfaction was slightly higher in Clallam, Mason and San Juan counties.
The number of people choosing to respond to this question in 2020 decreased from the 2018 survey, although the average response remained the same.
Click below for more information about this indicator, including Maps, Charts, Indicator Importance, Methods, Interpretation of Results, and Additional Resources.