Materijalno blagostanje kao objektivna dimenzija kvalitete života stanovništva ruralnih prostora – općina Gornja Rijeka

Abstract

The paper analyses further results* of the empirical research conducted in the settlements of the municipality of Gornja Rijeka. The aim of the research was to deepen knowledge about the conditions which determine the quality of life of the Croatian rural area population. Ac­cording to the definition by R. Cummins (1991), material well-being is one of basic composite indicators of the overall quality of life. For the purpose of this paper, prosperity is measured by questions about the quality of housing, equipment of dwellings with elementary infrastruc­ture and consumer durables, the material status (income) of households and the role of agri­culture as a core economic sector in the total tangible image of rural households. A survey on a sample of 170 respondents aged 18 to 60, including an equal number of men and women, was conducted for the purpose of this study in 2012. In the Croatian village of the 1960s, modernization of housing started with the building of mu­nicipal infrastructure, significant quality improvement in the construction of houses, increased living space and use of modern household appliances. In the settlements of Gornja Rijeka municipality, the size of living space, equipment of households with basic infrastructure and durable goods is satisfactory and can be compared with urban areas. However, the material status of households in this municipality is not satisfactory because the total income in more than half of them is lower than the average Croatian salary. Most re­spondents estimate that their income can hardly meet the monthly needs of their households. Although agriculture is no longer the main source of income for rural population, it is still a relevant source of financial security, a determining factor in the entire life of rural communi­ties, especially in the organization of everyday activities and use of space.