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The German System of Social Indicators
Introduction
The aim of the German System of Social Indicators is to provide
an observational grid and suitable data that allow to monitor the
status quo as well as the development of the citizens’ objective living
conditions and their subjective quality of life. In order to attain this
objective the time series data of the indicator system describe the welfare
development and social change in 14 life- and political domains.
The indicator tables for these 14 domains are available in Adobe Acrobat
(.pdf) Format. In order to view or print .pdf-files you will need the application
Adobe
Acrobat Reader (Version 4 or later), which is available as a self-extracting
freeware for several operating systems. The fastest way to navigate through
the tables offered on this page is by using the bookmarks included in the
files. They can be activated by using the 2nd icon on the left hand side
of the Reader's toolbar, shown below.
After activating the bookmarks they are shown on the left-hand side
of the screen. If you left-click on one of the indicators you will instantly
get to the corresponding location in the current document.
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Download of Indicator-Tables and Documentation
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The System of Social Indicators
The almost 400 indicators and over 3000 time series currently included
in the German System of Social Indicators provide empirical information
on changes in the living conditions of the population and on shifts in
the social structure of the Federal Republic of Germany. The period of
observation stretches from the beginning of the 50's until recently. The
indicator system is continously being updated.
The selection of indicators used is based on
theoretical considerations as well as on socio-political criteria and is
primarily aiming at welfare measurement. In this context welfare
refers to the objective living conditions, which determine the "individual
well-being" of the population and to the connection between these objective
conditions and the citizens' subjective evaluations thereof. Thus the majority of indicators currently included
in the system measures the degree to which welfare-related social values
and aims are achieved in each of the 14 domains that constitute the system.
However, it is not claimed that the system of social indicators includes
all facts and conditions that are relevant to individual welfare. Nevertheless
it is assumed that the life domains selected are central to individual
well-being as well as they are of socio-political interest. Furthermore
it should be supposed that the indicators chosen relate to actual goals
of individual welfare, that are representative for those of the population
and on which there is a wide consensus in politics and in society at large.
Thus the System of Social Indicators offers a database that by comparing
the real state of affairs to a previous or desired one, allows an assessment
of the population's current living conditions and their development over
time. As a result it makes it possible to interpret the observed trends
as an improvement or deterioration of the original status quo, i.e. as
social progress or setback.
The System of Social Indicators for the Federal Republic of Germany
is based on the SPES Indicator System (Socio- Political Decision- and Indicators-System
for the Federal Republic of Germany") developed in the 1970's. It was not only continuously up-dated,
but also advanced and expanded. Changes
not only comprise the addition of new life domains, but also further fundamental modifications and developments.
In this context the systematic inclusion of measures of subjective
well-being and the perceived quality of life are especially
noteworthy.
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The Digital Information System Social Indicators (DISI) 2.1
Since April 2004 the second release of the Digital Information
System Social Indicators (DISI 2.1) is available
in a bilingual (German and English) edition. DISI provides an easy way
to use the data of the German System of Social Indicators via a computer
application available for Windows 9x/NT/2000. A detailed register, a query-option
and the possibility to create individually combined sets of indicators
provide easy access to the more than 3000 time series included in this database. Top of page
© GESIS Heinz-Herbert Noll
11/12/07
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