The CIPRA Association - Center for Information, Risk Prevention, and Analysis - has released a new research report conducted in collaboration with Reveal Marketing Research, with the aim of obtaining an updated picture of the daily habits and consumption patterns that influence the quality of life of Romanians, under the impact of economic changes in the past year.

The study conducted in March of this year revealed significant differences in perception compared to October 2021 regarding the aspects that influence the quality of life, such as rest, nutrition, moderate indulgence, sports, and the balance between personal and professional life. According to the new study, the top aspects with the most impact on the quality of life are as follows:

Nutrition, considered important by 67% of respondents. Sleep/rest, with a percentage of 54%. Balance between personal and professional life, with 45%. Physical activity, mentioned by 34% of Romanians. Moderate indulgence, 28%.

Thus, there is a change in the hierarchy compared to the end of 2021 when sleep ranked first, followed by the balance between personal and professional life, and nutrition in third place.

Regarding the influence of price increases on aspects related to the quality of life, nutrition is also considered the most affected segment by 78% of respondents, followed by the balance between personal and professional life (51%), sleep/rest (40%), tobacco consumption (37%), sports (36%), and alcohol consumption (31%).

"This new study is comprehensive, adapted to the delicate economic context we are going through, and was specially designed to highlight how the changes in the past year have influenced the quality of life of Romanians and their concerns in various areas.

Although this market research shows that half of the respondents perceive their quality of life as good, significant price increases have had a strong impact on how people manage their budget and priorities, as well as on how they rest or spend their free time.

It is concerning that, in 2023, the state of mind no longer occupies as important a place in the ranking of factors considered essential for quality of life, and respondents' statements demonstrate that aspects such as satisfaction with rest have suffered - 15% fewer respondents are satisfied with their sleep, and satisfaction with the food they consume is 14% lower in 2023.

Satisfaction with aspects such as the balance between personal and professional life or leisure time is also declining," says Constantin Bratu, President of CIPRA.

2023 vs 2021: Top Satisfactory Aspects

Among the important conclusions of the study are those related to the top satisfactory aspects for respondents in 2023 compared to 2021.

71% of respondents are satisfied with the cleanliness of their homes (compared to 82% in 2021).

66% are satisfied with their living conditions (compared to 76% in 2021).

60% are satisfied with their personal safety (compared to 61% in 2021).

56% are satisfied with the food they consume (compared to 70% in 2021).

50% consider the balance between personal and professional life satisfactory (compared to 58% in 2021).

47% declare that they have a decently paid job (compared to 48% in 2021), and the same percentage of respondents are satisfied with their energy levels (compared to 58% in 2021).

46% are satisfied with their sleep/rest (compared to 61% in 2021), and 45% are satisfied with the time spent for relaxation (compared to 58% in 2021).

Factors and aspects considered essential for quality of life

According to the CIPRA study, the most important aspects for a quality life mentioned by respondents are having a welcoming home to live in (85%, a decrease compared to 89% in 2021), getting good sleep (84%, compared to 88% in 2021), and achieving emotional balance (80%, compared to 85% in 2021).

These are followed by: how leisure time is spent, considered important by 77% of respondents, the need for tasty food, indicated by 74% of respondents, the need for time for sports/exercise, mentioned by 66% of respondents, and the need to go out in the city, mentioned by 57% of respondents.

Regarding important factors in life, there is a decline for all parameters, and a change in the hierarchy is noticeable. The study results show that family and friends still occupy the first position with a percentage of 83% (a decrease compared to 90% in 2021), followed by:

Financial status: 81% (compared to 87% in 2021)

Physical well-being: 80% (compared to 88% in 2021)

Mood: 78%, showing the largest decline compared to 2021 when it ranked first with 90%.

Self-esteem: 77% (compared to 88% in 2021)

School/job: 65% (compared to 82% in 2021)

"This study conducted in partnership with CIPRA highlights the main components of a quality life. Although the importance values have decreased compared to the evaluation conducted in 2021, there have been no changes in the hierarchy.

The current context continues to emphasize the importance of housing, the nest where we spend most of our time, especially for mature individuals. Quality sleep and emotional balance are the next important aspects for a quality life," says Marius Luican, CEO of Reveal Marketing Research.