Introduction

Abstract

Diversities and contrasts among 29 countries and societies in Asia are measured in terms of value priorities, lifestyles, specific life domain satisfactions, and overall quality of life—happiness, enjoyment, and achievement. Quality of life in Asia has not yet been comprehensively and systematically examined, although Asia is a dynamic and diverse region that is important in geographical, demographical, economic, political, and military senses. The economic development, democratic prospect, and security situation of Asia are hugely volatile and unpredictable in nature. Quality of life is a basic tool to predict such unpredictable future in Asia. Following Shin and Inoguchi (Social Indicators Res 92:405–427, 2009), we take the subjective approach of equating quality of life with subjective well-being and conceptualize it as multidimensional.