A Study on the Measurement of Social Cohesion: Based on Comparison of Weighting Methodologies

Abstract

This study aims to develop a social cohesion index by adopting different weighting methods in order to measure the level of social cohesion in Korea in comparison with other OECD countries from various angles. For this purpose, this study defined social cohesion in terms of four sub-dimensions and 19 indicators by using the Delphi method. We also adopted three different weights of dimensions and indicators: equal weight, statistical weight and survey-based weight. Measured against the social cohesion index developed in this study, Korea is ranked 28th with equal weighting, 24th with statistical weighting, and 29th with survey-based weighting among a total of 30 OECD countries in 2015. Higher survey-based weight of social inclusion and higher statistical weight of labour share and education attainment cause the differences across the weighting methods. This result implies needs for composite index reflecting subjectivity and for constructing an indicator set reflecting social circumstances in our times.