Modes and Measurement of Subjective Well-Being in Flanders: The Impact of Changing Survey Strategies

Statistics Flanders considers subjective well-being (SWB) of its inhabitants as a core statistic. In alignment with OECD guidelines (2013, 2025 forthcoming), we include various indicators of SWB in our surveys, along with potential determinants such as optimism, social integration, interpersonal trust and sense of control. This paper examines the impact of a changed survey strategy on the measurement of SWB and its correlates.

We compare results from two types of surveys: a face-to-face mode and a self-completion mode (combining an online and paper version). From 2008 to 2018, SWB in Flanders was measured through large-scale face-to-face surveys, which consistently reported an average life satisfaction score of 7.6 (on a scale from 0 to 10). In 2021, we shifted to a mobile-first designed web and paper self-completion survey, leading to a noticeable drop in reported SWB levels. For the period 2021–2024, with six measurements, life satisfaction is also stable but averages 7.3, which is lower than pre-2018 results.

In this paper, we reflect on whether this decrease represents an actual change in well-being or is linked to the shift in survey mode. We also analyze how the correlates and determinants of SWB, such as socio-demographic factors and internal/external buffers, vary depending on the survey methodology.

By examining these differences, we aim to contribute to the broader discussion on how survey modes influence SWB reporting and the importance of these findings for policymakers relying on such data.