The conceptual framework of the European System of Social Indicators is based on a reflection of the scientific discourse of various welfare concepts and the societal goals stressed by these concepts. In addition, an inventory of the goals and objectives pursued by the policies of the European Union has been undertaken. From both types of analyses the conclusion was drawn that there are six major goal dimensions of the societal development in Europe which should be addressed by an European System of Social Indicators and should be used as reference points of the measurement dimensions and indicators derived. The goal dimensions considered as relevant are related to the concepts of quality of life , social cohesion , and sustainability . The indicators related to this goal dimension will reveal how the objective living conditions are perceived and evaluated by the citizens.
Examples are measures of satisfaction or happiness.
This dimension refers to inequality aspects of the welfare distribution within a society such as regional disparities, equality of opportunities of women and men or other population groups. The second dimension of social cohesion concerns the social relations within a society or what has been denoted as social capital. The existence of informal networks, associations and organisations, and well functioning societal institutions are aspects of this concept. Furthermore, the goal of promoting the social cohesion between European countries is addressed by this dimension. Two other goal dimensions are part of the concept of sustainability as it is described in the World Bank's four capital approach .