🚨 The Dingdong Index: A Comprehensive Indicator of Regional Living Satisfaction

Today Korean Social News | 2025.04.23

📌 Busan and Daegu Face Population Decline Due to Low Birth Rates and Youth Exodus... Urgent Need to Improve Childcare and Cultural Infrastructure

💬 Busan and Daegu are experiencing worsening population decline due to low birth rates and the exodus of young people to the Seoul metropolitan area. While both cities received high ratings in welfare and medical sectors, they face criticism for insufficient childcare and cultural leisure infrastructure. In response, local governments are working to improve living conditions by expanding childcare facilities and creating cultural spaces.

Summary

• The Dingdong Index comprehensively evaluates and quantifies regional living satisfaction.
• It measures quality of regional life across various sectors including education, healthcare, transportation, culture, and safety.
• This important indicator identifies gaps in living environments between regions and informs policy development.

1️⃣ Definition

The Dingdong Index is a comprehensive indicator that measures and quantifies the living satisfaction of each region. In simple terms, it scores how happy and convenient it is to live in a particular area.

The Dingdong Index includes various aspects of life such as education, healthcare, transportation, culture, and safety to objectively show differences in quality of life between regions.

💡 Why is it important?

• It serves as an important reference for citizens when choosing where to live.
• It provides foundational data to identify and improve gaps in living environments between regions.
• It helps local governments develop effective policies.

2️⃣ Structure and Characteristics of the Dingdong Index

📕 Components of the Index

• The Dingdong Index evaluates various areas of life. The index consists of 8 major domains. First, housing environment evaluates housing prices, rent, and housing quality. Second, educational environment measures the number of schools, diversity of educational programs, and academic achievement. Third, healthcare includes hospital accessibility, quality of medical services, and emergency medical systems. Fourth, transportation evaluates convenience of public transportation, traffic congestion, and infrastructure conditions. Fifth, culture and leisure measures cultural facilities, leisure programs, and spaces like parks. Sixth, safety includes crime rates, disaster response systems, and security conditions. Seventh, environment evaluates air quality, water quality, and green space ratios. Eighth, social relationships measures community bonds, community activities, and volunteer participation rates.

• The evaluation method reflects both objective indicators and subjective satisfaction. The Dingdong Index is measured in two ways. First, objective indicators utilize official statistics from government agencies such as the National Statistical Office, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health and Welfare. For example, it collects quantifiable data like the number of doctors per thousand people, traffic accident rates, and crime rates. Second, subjective satisfaction is measured through resident surveys. Residents' perceived satisfaction in each domain is evaluated on a 5-point scale and reflected in the index. The final index is calculated on a 100-point scale by weighted summation of objective indicators (70%) and subjective satisfaction (30%). This approach allows for a comprehensive evaluation of regional living environments by considering both actual statistics and residents' perceptions.

📕 Characteristics and Applications

• The main characteristics of the Dingdong Index are comprehensiveness and comparability. The Dingdong Index has the following characteristics. First, it enables comprehensive evaluation. It holistically evaluates various factors affecting quality of life rather than single elements. Second, it allows regional comparison. By calculating indices for all 17 provinces/metropolitan cities and major districts nationwide, direct comparisons of living environments between regions are possible. Third, time-series analysis is possible. By measuring with the same methodology each year, trends over time can be identified. Fourth, detailed analysis is possible. In addition to the comprehensive index, detailed scores by domain and category are provided to identify specific strengths and weaknesses.

• The Dingdong Index is used in various fields. The Dingdong Index is importantly utilized in several areas. First, it is used for policy development. Local governments develop improvement policies and allocate budgets focusing on areas with low scores. Second, it serves as a reference for relocation decisions. Individuals or families use it as an important reference when planning to move. Third, it is used for corporate investment decisions. Companies consider the living environment of regions when selecting business locations, and the Dingdong Index serves as an important criterion. Fourth, it is used to establish regional development strategies. It helps formulate development directions and specialization strategies through comparisons of regional competitiveness. Fifth, it is used for academic research. It provides important data for scholars studying regional disparities, quality of life, and population movement.

Key Issues of the Dingdong Index

1. Validity of indicator selection: Which factors to include and how to assign weights to each
2. Reflection of regional characteristics: Need for differentiated evaluation criteria based on regional characteristics such as urban and rural areas
3. Reliability of subjective satisfaction: Issues with survey subject selection and representativeness of samples
4. Data collection timing gap: Potential distortion in comparisons due to differences in statistical data collection timing
5. Perception differences by social class: Whether differences in living satisfaction by income, age, and gender are reflected
6. Risk of simplification: Limitations of simplifying complex living environments into a single figure
7. Measuring policy effects: Whether index changes accurately reflect policy effects
8. Urban-rural gap: Concerns about unbalanced evaluation due to basic infrastructure differences between urban and rural areas
9. Temporal changes: How to reflect elements with high seasonal and annual variability (e.g., air quality)
10. International comparability: Need for standardized indicators for comparing quality of life between countries

3️⃣ Current Status and Implications

✅ Recent Regional Dingdong Index Status

• The Seoul metropolitan area and major cities record high scores. Looking at the 2024 national Dingdong Index, the Seoul metropolitan area including Seoul and Gyeonggi Province recorded the highest average score of 78.5. Within the metropolitan area, affluent regions such as Gangnam-gu, Seoul (85.2), Bundang-gu, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province (84.7), and Seocho-gu, Seoul (83.9) ranked at the top. Among metropolitan cities, Haeundae-gu, Busan (82.1), Suseong-gu, Daegu (81.8), and Yuseong-gu, Daejeon (81.3) showed high scores, indicating significant living environment gaps even within metropolitan cities. Meanwhile, rural areas and small-medium cities recorded relatively low scores. Particularly, some county areas in Gangwon and Jeolla Provinces scored below 60 points, showing a large gap with urban areas. By domain, the metropolitan area tended to score high in education, culture, and transportation; small-medium cities in provincial areas scored high in housing costs and environment; and rural areas scored relatively high in safety and social relationships.

• There are significant satisfaction differences by age group and household characteristics. The 2024 Dingdong Index survey analyzed satisfaction differences not only by region but also by population characteristics. First, there were clear differences by age group. Young people in their 20s and 30s showed high satisfaction in the metropolitan area and large cities with abundant education, culture, and job opportunities. Middle-aged people in their 40s and 50s prioritized children's education and workplace accessibility, showing high satisfaction in areas with good school districts and convenient transportation. People over 60 showed relatively high satisfaction in areas with good healthcare accessibility and welfare services. Second, there were differences by household characteristics. Households with children prioritized education and safety factors, showing high satisfaction in areas with good school districts and low crime rates. Single-person households prioritized accessibility to transportation and cultural leisure facilities, showing high satisfaction in urban areas. These results show that living satisfaction can vary greatly not only by region but also according to an individual's life cycle and household characteristics.

✅ Implications and Improvement Directions

• Policy efforts for balanced regional development are necessary. The Dingdong Index analysis provides the following policy implications. First, policies to reduce concentration in the metropolitan area are needed. The large gap between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas can lead to a vicious cycle of population outflow and regional imbalance. Second, customized development strategies tailored to regional characteristics are needed. Rather than developing all regions by the same standards, strategies that leverage regional strengths and complement weaknesses are more effective. Third, expanding basic living infrastructure is important. Education, healthcare, and cultural infrastructure in rural areas and small-medium cities should be guaranteed at least at a basic level to ensure minimal quality of life. Fourth, revitalizing regional communities is necessary. Beyond improving the physical environment, strengthening social capital through resident participation and community formation is important. Fifth, region-specific population policies are needed. Policies tailored to the demographic structure and characteristics of each region are necessary to maintain regional vitality.

• Improving living environments considering individual and household characteristics is important. The Dingdong Index analysis provides implications not only for regional policies but also for improving individual quality of life. First, life-cycle specific customized services are needed. Living environments should be created considering the different needs and preferences of young, middle-aged, and elderly populations. Second, housing policies considering diverse household types are important. Housing supply and living environments should be created to match various household characteristics such as single-person households, multi-child households, and elderly households. Third, a generationally integrative approach is needed. Spaces and programs where young and elderly generations can mingle should be provided to promote intergenerational understanding and exchange. Fourth, sharing economies and collaborative consumption should be promoted. Rather than individuals owning all resources, sharing and collaborating within regions should be encouraged. Fifth, bridging the digital divide is important. Education and infrastructure should be supported so that all ages and classes can benefit from digital technology.

4️⃣ Related Terms Explanation

🔎 Quality of Life Index

• The Quality of Life Index is a comprehensive happiness measurement indicator including material and non-material elements.
• The Quality of Life Index refers to an indicator that comprehensively evaluates various domains including health, education, environment, safety, and community, as well as economic factors, to measure overall life satisfaction of citizens. It was developed to complement the limitations of traditional economic indicators like GDP, which only measure material prosperity. Internationally, the OECD's "Better Life Index" and the UN's "World Happiness Report" are representative examples. In Korea, the National Statistical Office has developed and publishes the "National Quality of Life Indicators," which consist of 11 domains including income/consumption/assets, employment/wages, housing, health, education, culture/leisure, family/community, civic participation, safety, environment, and subjective well-being. The Quality of Life Index serves as an important criterion for setting policy directions that pursue balance between citizen happiness and social development beyond simple economic growth. The Dingdong Index can be seen as applying this concept of the Quality of Life Index at the regional level.

🔎 Regional Disparity

• Regional disparity refers to differences in development levels across various fields such as economy, education, and culture between regions.
• Regional disparity refers to differences in development levels in various fields such as economy, income, education, culture, healthcare, and infrastructure between different regions. In Korea, disparities exist between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, between urban and rural areas, and even between administrative districts within the same metropolitan city. Major causes of regional disparities include: First, differences in industrial structure. The distribution of manufacturing, service, and high-tech industries varies by region. Second, imbalance in human capital. Highly educated workforce tends to concentrate in specific regions. Third, differences in government policies and investment. Development policies and public investment tend to concentrate in certain regions. Fourth, historical and geographical factors. Development foundations and geographical advantages formed in the past lead to current disparities. Regional disparities can cause various social problems such as population movement, income inequality, and hindered social integration. Various policy efforts such as balanced development policies, region-specific development strategies, and strengthened local decentralization are being made to mitigate these disparities.

🔎 Living SOC

• Living SOC refers to essential infrastructure needed for daily life.
• Living SOC (Social Overhead Capital) refers to infrastructure essential for citizens' daily lives. While traditional SOC meant large-scale economic infrastructure such as roads, ports, and airports, Living SOC refers to facilities closely related to daily life such as childcare facilities, libraries, gymnasiums, parks, parking lots, and elderly welfare facilities. Since 2019, the government has been implementing the "Living SOC 3-Year Plan," focusing on expanding infrastructure for improving residents' quality of life. The main characteristics of Living SOC are as follows. First, it emphasizes accessibility. Ideally, facilities should be located within a 10-15 minute walking distance for residents. Second, it pursues integration. Efficiency and convenience are enhanced by combining multiple functions in one facility. Third, it is designed region-specifically. Necessary facilities are prioritized according to regional demographic structures and demands. Living SOC plays an important role in guaranteeing basic quality of life for local residents and reducing regional disparities. In calculating the Dingdong Index, the status and accessibility of Living SOC are important evaluation factors.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How can I best utilize the Dingdong Index?

A: The Dingdong Index can be utilized in various ways. First, it can be used as a reference when deciding on a residence or moving. When choosing a region that matches your or your family's lifestyle and preferences, compare not only the overall score but also detailed scores in areas of interest such as education, healthcare, and transportation. Second, it helps objectively identify the strengths and weaknesses of your current residential area. Knowing which areas your region excels in or lacks can be useful in making life plans. Third, it can be used as basic data for citizen participation in regional policies. If you are interested in regional development, you can identify areas needing improvement through the Dingdong Index and make policy proposals to local governments. Fourth, it can be referenced when making real estate investments or selecting business locations. It helps predict the development potential of regions or long-term prospects of specific commercial areas. However, remember that the Dingdong Index shows average living environments, so importance and satisfaction may vary according to individual specific situations and preferences.

Q: What should I do if I live in an area with a low Dingdong Index?

A: Living in an area with a low Dingdong Index doesn't necessarily mean you should consider moving. You can consider the following approaches. First, check the detailed indicators. Even if the overall score is low, the area might score high in specific domains (e.g., education, safety). If domains important to you are in good condition, it might not be a big issue. Second, consider disparities within the region. Even within the same district, living environments can vary greatly by neighborhood. Even if the regional average is low, specific areas might have good environments. Third, look for improvement possibilities. Checking the region's development plans, scheduled infrastructure construction, and urban regeneration projects can help predict future value. Fourth, participate in regional activities. Participating directly in improving the living environment through resident councils or community activities can increase satisfaction. Fifth, utilize surrounding areas for insufficient aspects. For example, if cultural facilities are lacking, you can complement this by using facilities in nearby cities on weekends. The important thing to remember is that the Dingdong Index is just one reference point, and individual quality of life is determined by various factors including not only objective environment but also subjective satisfaction, social relationships, and personal achievements.