SIW Domains

The Saskatchewan Index of Wellbeing (SIW) is comprised of eight domains, with eight indicators in each domain. The eight domains (adapted from the CIW definitions) include:

Community Vitality: This domain looks at our quality of life with regard to the communities we live in. It tells us what is happening in our neighbourhoods, how safe we feel, and whether or not we are engaged in community activities or becoming socially isolated.

Democratic Engagement: Democratic Engagement means taking part in the democratic process through political institutions, organizations, and activities. A society that enjoys a high level of democratic engagement is one where citizens freely participate in political activities, express their political views, and share political knowledge; where governments build relationships, trust, and encourage citizen participation; and, where democratic values are promoted by citizens, civic organizations, and all levels of government. A healthy democracy means more than voting in elections; it requires ongoing democratic engagement both during and between elections.

Education: Education is a core personal resource and a reflection of our ability to function and adapt in society. It is an important predictor of health, living standards, democratic participation, and education for future generations. The Education domain focuses on school-based learning and education rather than informal learning. Since societies that thrive encourage a thirst for knowledge at every age and stage, the framework of the Education domain includes both traditional indicators of educational achievement along with some less conventional indicators of education across the life span.

Environment: The Environment domain identifies trends in the availability and use of natural resources in [Saskatchewan’s] environment. From the resources that fuel our economy to the medicines that heal us, and the happiness of outdoor enthusiasts to the lessons that guide many religious or spiritual beliefs, the wellbeing of humans depends on the state of the environment. This domain is not an analysis of the sustainability of Canada‘s environment; instead, it explores natural assets available to [Saskatchewanians], the flow of these resources over time, and some of the impacts of human activity on the environment.

Healthy Populations: This domain looks at the health of the [Saskatchewan] population to assess whether different aspects of our health are improving or deteriorating.

Leisure and Culture: The leisure and culture domain explores [Saskatchewans’] participation and engagement with the arts, culture, and recreation. Participation in these activities can be highly beneficial to wellbeing by contributing to better physical and mental health, and creating opportunities for socializing, relaxation, and learning new things.

Living Standards: The Living Standards domain measures the level and distribution of [Saskatchewans’] income and wealth by monitoring poverty rates, income fluctuations, labour market security and job quality. It also considers basic necessities such as food security and affordable housing.

Time Use: Indicators in the Time Use domain measure how [Saskatchewanians] spend their time, how we experience time, what factors control our time use, and how time use affects our wellbeing.