Institute of Geography
Topic
Quality of Life in the Regions of Slovakia: Between Objective Measures and Subjective Perceptions
PhD. program
Year of admission
2026
Name of the supervisor
Mgr. Michala Sládeková Madajová, PhD.
Contact:
Receiving school
Prírodovedecká fakulta UK
Annotation
The thesis focuses on a comprehensive assessment of quality of life in the regions of Slovakia by linking objective socio-economic, demographic, environmental and infrastructural indicators with the subjective perceptions of residents. Traditional methods of evaluating regional development often rely on economic indicators, which only partially reflect actual well-being, satisfaction, and living conditions. Despite increasing economic performance, many regions continue to exhibit persistent social problems, inequalities, and low quality of life. In numerous regions, discrepancies arise between material living conditions and the subjective evaluation of quality of life. The aim of the thesis is to examine these relationships and contradictions, identify key factors influencing quality of life, and thereby contribute to a deeper understanding of regional disparities in Slovakia. The research is based on a multidimensional approach that combines the analysis of objective statistical indicators (income, unemployment, education, housing, health status, service accessibility, and environmental conditions) with subjective indicators obtained through surveys or secondary data on life satisfaction, perceived safety, service quality assessment, and perceptions of living conditions. The methodological framework will consist of a combination of statistical methods, spatial analysis, and cluster analysis, with an emphasis on identifying typologically distinct regions. The outcome of the thesis will be a regional typology of Slovakia based on the relationship between objective and subjective quality of life, as well as the identification of the main determinants shaping regional differences in residents’ well-being. The dissertation seeks to contribute to the theoretical and methodological development of quality-of-life research in geography and to provide practically applicable insights for policymakers at both national and regional levels.