Social Cohesion: Concept and Measurement

This publication identifies definitions and conceptualisations of social cohesion, specifically for the purposes of national statistical offices, and covers ongoing debates concerning defining social cohesion, the breadth of the concept, and its multi-dimensional nature. The publication concludes that national statistical offices can benefit from approaches that satisfy their specific context and should avoid an overly encompassing definition of social cohesion that can undermine its analytical value. The publication also provides several implications for the operationalisation of the concept by national statistical organisations and outlines a number of methodological priorities of interest.