A regional analysis of Italian well-being within the framework of social related SDGs

Italy is characterized by a considerable regional diversity, from a social, cultural and economic point of view. The quality of life can vary greatly between different regions of the country. Therefore, understanding the specificities of each region is crucial for implementing public policies able to promote economic and social development, ensuring a fair distribution of resources and improving the quality of life of citizens. The report of the Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi Commission has raised fundamental questions about GDP as a limited measure of economic and social well-being. On the other hand, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations aim at covering a wide range of interconnected issues that affect human well-being and the sustainability of the planet. ISTAT h the 372 statistical measures connected to the 17 SDGs for each Italian regions are monitored. Prioritizing the wellbeing-related SDGs based on local specific circumstances is essential for regions to identify local-specific levels of progress, features and needs. From this perspective, this study aims to classify the Italian regions, based on their wellbeing- related SDGs progress, in order to understand the key challenges, define the gaps between regions and identify priorities for action. A three-step methodological approach based on principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and ANOVA is used. Four clusters emerged from the analysis, showing that the level of wellbeing is a discriminating factor for the grouping of regions. The study findings can have practical implications, because they can support regional policymakers to adopt the measures needed to accelerate the process towards more equitable levels of wellbeing.