The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development social indicators framework has been informed by experiences in other parts of the OECD on policy and outcome assessment in a variety of fields. It draws, in particular, on the OECD experience with environmental indicators. These indicators are organised in a framework known as 'Pressure-State-Response' (PSR).*
In this framework human activities exert pressures on the environment, which affect natural resources and environmental conditions (state), and which prompt society to respond to these changes through various policies (societal response). The PSR framework highlights these sequential links which in turn helps decision-makers and the public see often over-looked interconnections.
The OECD 2009 Society at a Glance uses this framework through a set of headline indicators:
i) to describe outcomes;
ii) to inform about the broad set of measures included in the four dimensions of the OECD social indicators taxonomy (self-sufficiency, equity, health and social cohesion);
iii) to cover the largest possible number of OECD countries; and
iv) to allow monitoring of how social status evolves over time.
Society at a Glance offers a concise overview of quantitative social trends and policies across the OECD. This 2009 edition includes a wide range of information on social issues, such as demography and family characteristics, employment and unemployment, poverty and inequality, social and health care expenditure, and work and life satisfaction,as well as a guide to help readers understand the structure of OECD social indicators.
REF:
OECD(2009), Society at a Glance 2009 - OECD Social Indicators
http://www.oecd.org/els/social/indicators/SAG