The determinants of quality of life in rural areas from a geographic perspective: the case of Tuscany

The quality of life in rural populations plays a key role in rural development policies. Starting from a capabilities approach, the aim of this work is to evaluate, with a simultaneous quantile regression, the heterogeneity of the determinants of quality of life by analyzing the opportunities addressed to rural populations. These opportunities are quantified as the availability of healthcare, education, economic opportunities, environ- mental conditions, human pressure, and the accessibility of the areas. The focus on capabilities represents a change from the prevailing setting, which tends to assess levels of well-being by functioning as a proxy of capabilities. The results show that the availability of basic services, especially those used frequently, are essential elements for maintaining adequate levels of quality of life in rural areas.