This comprehensive volume provides a broad overview of quality of life issues covering a wide geographical region: North America, Europe, parts of Africa, East Asia, and South Asia. Spread over more than 30 chapters, it includes the latest findings from these regions to provide a multidisciplinary account of the major dimensions of quality of life, and therefore has a vast scope. The volume is divided into four thematic parts: theoretical perspectives; population dimensions; socio-cultural and economic dimensions; and urban and environmental dimensions. Extensive maps, diagrams and tables accompany the discussions and facilitate understanding. This is an indispensable reference and serves the interest of students and scholars of human geography, economics, demography, sociology, anthropology, social work, and philosophy. It is particularly useful for those engaged in further research on quality of life issues.