Even after analysing quality of life and finding positive scores, we were surprised to find that singling out psycho-social attitudinal variables, scores were still largely positive:

As the scores make clear, the vast majority of respondents (86.8%) were either absolutely fine or ‘OK’. The ‘content and cheerful’ were quite remarkable – 22.3% of the sample scored from 0 to 0.9999 on the index. The scores reinforce the point made earlier: city-regions, the GCR included, are places where people can realise their dreams and live fulfilling lives.

Those we have labelled ‘OK’ – who comprise 64.5% of the sample – were themselves a very positive group, scoring between 1 and 3.9999 on the scale. If we remember that 1 is the best and 10 the worst end of the scale, and these respondents are scoring up to 4, it reinforces the point that the majority of citizens - 87% - are doing fine.

The category called ‘at risk’ includes 8.4% of respondents. They have been labelled ‘at risk’ precisely because they are scoring reasonably high – between 4.0 and 4.999 – and as such may move towards the ‘OK’ or towards the ‘marginalised’ categories, and should be a key target group for government interventions.