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Using capabilities as an alternative indicator for well-being

Author

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  • L. VAN OOTEGEM
  • E. VERHOFSTADT

Abstract

Direct measurement of capabilities is scarce, mainly because questions arise concerning their observability. This paper lines up with the kind of primary data base research as it is pioneered in Anand & Van Hees (2006) and Anand et al (2009) and shows the potential of information on subjective capabilities as indicator and aggregator for well-being. We develop a questionnaire which consistently makes the distinction between functionings and capabilities on the one hand, and between the measurement and valuation of these functionings and capabilities on the other hand. We survey a population of 18 year old first year Bachelor students in applied economics and business studies. We show that capabilities can be subjectively measured. The data confirm the theoretical hypothesis that the set of capabilities is larger than the achieved functionings. Information on capabilities can be a suitable object of valuation for wellbeing research. To some extent, the explanatory variables behind the capabilities interpretation of well-being (eg. the role of the parents especially when they are divorced) are more relevant for policy compared to the variables influencing satisfaction with life (eg. not being single), because they are more beyond the control of the individual.

Suggested Citation

  • L. Van Ootegem & E. Verhofstadt, 2010. "Using capabilities as an alternative indicator for well-being," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 10/677, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    • Handle: RePEc:rug:rugwps:10/677
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    Cited by:

    1. Karen Hofmann & Dominik Schori & Thomas Abel, 2013. "Self-Reported Capabilities Among Young Male Adults in Switzerland: Translation and Psychometric Evaluation of a German, French and Italian Version of a Closed Survey Instrument," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 723-738, November.
    2. Tiina Ahonen & Tomi Mäki-Opas & Antti Kouvo & Timo Toikko, 2025. "Investigating the Capability Approach: How Long-Term Unemployed People in Finland Perceive Their Access to Commodities, Conversion Factors and Capabilities," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 177(2), pages 647-669, March.
    3. Suwastika Naidu, 2016. "Does Human Development Influence Women’s Labour Force Participation Rate? Evidences from the Fiji Islands," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 127(3), pages 1067-1084, July.
    4. Pot, Felix Johan, 2025. "Perceived accessibility and transport equity: Does satisfaction imply perceived sufficiency of opportunities?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    5. Paul Anand & Swati Saxena & Rolando Gonzales Martinez & Hai-Anh H. Dang, 2020. "Can Women’s Self-help Groups Contribute to Sustainable Development? Evidence of Capability Changes from Northern India," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(2), pages 137-160, April.
    6. Lejla TERZIĆ, 2018. "A competitive economy as the path to future prosperity: Comparative analysis of selected European countries," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania / Editura Economica, vol. 0(2(615), S), pages 149-162, Summer.
    7. Koen Decancq & Luc Van Ootegem & Elsy Verhofstadt, 2013. "What If We Voted on the Weights of a Multidimensional Well‐Being Index? An Illustration with Flemish Data," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 34, pages 315-332, September.
    8. Sabina Alkire, 2015. "The Capability Approach and Well-Being Measurement for Public Policy," OPHI Working Papers ophiwp094.pdf, Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford.
    9. Philippe Tessier & Josselin Thuilliez, 2018. "Does freedom make a difference?," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 19(8), pages 1189-1205, November.
    10. Susanne Ferschl & Peter Gelius & Karim Abu-Omar & Maike Till & Richard Benkert & Thomas Abel, 2022. "Exploring Well-Being and Its Correlates among Young Men Using Sen’s Capability Approach: Results from the Young Adults Survey, Switzerland (YASS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-22, January.
    11. Tindara Addabbo & Maria Laura Di Tommaso & Anna Maccagnan, 2016. "Education Capability: A Focus on Gender and Science," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 128(2), pages 793-812, September.
    12. Claudia Kettner-Marx & Angela Köppl & Sigrid Stagl, 2014. "Towards an Operational Measurement of Socio-ecological Performance. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 52," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 47154.
    13. Lieze Sohier & Luc Van Ootegem & Elsy Verhofstadt, 2021. "Well-Being During the Transition from Work to Retirement," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 263-286, January.
    14. Felix Johan Pot & Eva Heinen & Taede Tillema, 2025. "Sufficient access? Activity participation, perceived accessibility and transport-related social exclusion across spatial contexts," Transportation, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1679-1707, August.
    15. Pelenc, Jérôme, 2014. "Combining the capability approach and Max-Neef’s needs approach for a better assessment of multidimensional well-being and inequalities: a case study perspective with vulnerable teenagers of the region of Paris (France)," MPRA Paper 66277, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Jerome Pelenc, 2017. "Combining Capabilities and Fundamental Human Needs: A Case Study with Vulnerable Teenagers in France," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 133(3), pages 879-906, September.

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