This indicator is a measure of housing quality, an outcome of housing demand and housing supply, determined by the overall housing policy framework. As such, this indicator is a State measure in the DSR Framework. Informal settlements in particular are likely to have much less space per person, as are disadvantaged groups. Various levels of data collection are necessary to provide a full picture of this specific housing outcome. Housing size and housing quality are usually but not necessarily linked, and floor area per person may not give a complete picture of living conditions.
Cultural values affect sensitivity to crowding.
Alternative measures of crowding have been the subject of data collection and reporting in international statistical compendia. Surveys have shown that floor area per person is more precise and policy-sensitive than the other two indicators. They include, among others, percentage of housing units with more than one household, in-house living area per person, percentage of housing units with more than three persons per room, number of households per building and per housing unit, number of persons per building. The indicator is reported in the Housing Indicators Programme report listed in section 7 below. Further Information World Bank.