QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS OF RESIDENTS IN MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS

Abstract

Quality of life is a multidimensional concept encompassing material conditions such as income, housing, and healthcare, as well as individuals’ subjective perceptions of satisfaction, safety, and levels of social participation. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2020), sustainable quality of life should be understood as “the capacity of people to maintain a stable and secure standard of living and to adapt to changes in their living and social environments.” This study focuses on assessing the current state of quality of life and livelihoods of residents in Cao Son Commune, Luong Son District, Hoa Binh Province, where livelihoods are still largely dependent on small-scale agricultural production, characterized by unstable incomes and limited financial autonomy. The paper proposes several orientations aimed at improving quality of life and promoting sustainable livelihood development in line with local conditions, thereby enhancing quality of life in a sustainable manner.