A study of quality of life in four rural development areas has found that west Cork has come out more than 10 points clear of the national average.
In the study, which was carried out by economists Chris Johns and Jim Power, Waterford and Cavan were marginally above the national benchmark while Monaghan was marginally below.
The study set out to identify a number of criteria that could be applied at a local level in order to gauge quality of life.
It identified six factors: census, health, technology, crime, income and housing which they applied to the west Cork, Monaghan, Waterford and Cavan Leader rural development areas.
Within these, 54 criteria were identified and measured. Based on the criteria chosen, the study shows that in terms of quality of life, west Cork was 10 points above the national benchmark of 100.
The final score showed that west Cork had scored a total of 110.3 on the index, Cavan 103; Waterford 101.6 and Monaghan scored 99.3.
"While these findings are subjective in nature and are based on 'hard' data in recognition of limited data availability at a local level, they do highlight deficiencies in certain areas," said a statement from the Leader rural development companies which funded the research.
"For example, in Co Waterford, limited educational attainment is a key issue that is undermining the economic and social development of the area," the statement continued.
"A scientific and proactive approach towards quality of life is essential from Ireland's policy makers if Ireland is to become a better place in which to live and bring up children. Too much focus on "economy" and not enough on "community" would be a major policy mistake," it said.
Mr Johns said that notwithstanding a decade of unprecedented economic growth, there was a strong sense that after a decade of such economic vibrancy, many people felt disillusioned about aspects of their lives and the society in which they lived.
He said this was not a uniquely Irish phenomenon. "In the whole of the developed world, the issue of quality of life is emerging as a distinct field of study, largely in reaction to the practical and philosophical drawbacks inherent in the conventional economic measures of welfare, notably GDP per capita."
The findings of the report will be presented to a major conference titled Surviving or Thriving; Quality of Life Issues in Rural Ireland to be held tomorrow in Buswells Hotel, Dublin.