Theme 1 Quality of life

1 Learn about the quality of life

Topic 1 Measure the quality of life in Hong Kong from different perspectives

1 Individuals level of satisfaction in relation to different aspects of their lives.

Module

1.1 Meaning of quality of life

Two aspects of life:

Quality of life refers to the degree of satisfaction in the material and spiritual aspects of life.
Spiritual enjoyment

Material enjoyment

Material aspect
E.g. Food satisfy hunger, stay alive

Non material / Spiritual aspect

Eat well, emphasize taste, nutrition and sanitation

2 Perspectives from which to measure the quality of life and the case of Hong Kong

2.1 Economic pers pective

2.1 Are Hong Kong people rich or poor?
2.1a Do Hong Kong people have high per capita income?
Issue explorer p. 9-10

a. Per capita GDP Calculation: Per capita = GDP GDP population

2.1b How large is the disparity between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong?
Issue explorer p. 11-12

When per capita GDP increases peoples general quality of life improves Per capita GDP of Hong Kong has increased continuously
Year 1966 1976 1986 1996 2006 Per capita GDP (at current market price) 3 933 13 975 57 784 191 047 215 008
Census and Statistics Department

2.1c Why do the rich get richer and the poor get poorer?

Issue explorer p. 13-14

b. Disparity between the rich and the poor

Gini coefficient It ranges between 0 and 1. 0 represents an absolutely even distribution of income (all persons have the same income) while 1 represents the extreme disparity between the rich and the poor (one person has all the income) . The greater the coefficient, the larger disparity. The larger the disparity between the rich and the poor in a country or region the more uneven the income distribution the greater the gap between the high-income and the low-income people in terms of quality of life

Per capita GDP of Hong Kong (1966-2006)

10

The disparity between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong is also growing

A large disparity between the rich and the poor can lead to various kinds of social problems, for example: Social division Poverty Intergenerational poverty Family violence

Census and Statistics Department

Gini coefficients of Hong Kong (1976-2006)

(TB P.11)

Causing a reduction in the societys quality of life

2.2 Is the unemployment situation the same for different

industries in Hong Kong?
2.2a What is the unemployment situation in Hong Kong in
recent years?
Issue explorer p. 15-16

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2.2a What is the unemployment situation in Hong Kong in recent years?

Issue explorer p. 15-16

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3. What do you think the effects of unemployment on the quality of life are? Explain from the unemployed and the society aspects.

2.2b Are the unemployment situations different for

different industries in Hong Kong?
Issue explorer p. 17-18

The unemployed - May have only enough money for basic needs. - Face a lot of pressure. adverse effects on the material and spiritual life of the unemployed

The entire society -Labour force is not fully utilised. -Lower productivity and output -More crimes, affecting social stability -Social problems such as suicide and family violence reducing the societys quality of life

c. Unemployment rate Calculation: Unemployment = rate Unemployed population Labour force

100%

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2.2 Social pers pective

a. Level of medical and health
care Ratio of hospital beds to population Ratio of doctors to population Infant mortality rate Life expectancy at birth

b. Access to education and its level

More educational opportunities that cater for the needs of individuals and social development Individuals Acquire knowledge, skills and attitude Improve competitiveness and socio-economic status Society Well-educated professionals with knowledge and skills Promote political, economic and cultural development

Quality of life of individuals and the society improves

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2.3 Political pers pective

2.4 Can the mass media in Hong Kong make use of the
freedom of the press?

Freedom of the press

VS

Self-censorship

Freedom of the press allows information to flow freely. 2.4b What is the Hong Kong peoples evaluation of the news media? Issue explorer p.26 Self-censorship ( refers to a situation when the )
mass media or news reporters choose to censor the style or content of their reports because of certain pressure (e.g. political pressure).

The mass media can be a check and balance on the government and enterprises and reflect peoples opinions. There may be more in-depth discussion of certain issues in the society. Self-censorship weakens the above functions of the mass media, negatively affects peoples rights to know( ) and adversely affect peoples quality of life.

3(a) What are the effects of the journalists practice of self-censorship on Hong Kong peoples quality of life?

2.6 Can there be a balance between heritage conservation and

urban development?

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Hong Kong introduces the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme

2.4 Cultural pers pective

Cultural diversity
cultures of different social groups can coexist in a society

Revitalising historic buildings

Striking a balance between economic development and heritage conservation

Cultural heritage
Hong Kong is inherited with traditional Chinese culture (e.g. festivals and customs, religious beliefs.)

2.7 Can there be a balance between environmental

conservation and urban development?

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Pollution will: Damage the natural environment, upset the ecological balanceand lead to global warming Directly harm human health and cause different types of diseases Hinder economic development Worsen the quality of life Environmental conservation measures should be adopted to maintain Hong Kongs sustainable development.

2.5 Environmental pers pective

a. Level of pollution Amount of major types of solid waste Amount of recyclable waste and recovery rate of recyclable materials Statistics on noise exposure Air pollution index Water quality indices of beaches and seawater