Final answer:
Quality of life is measured using factors such as health, education, human rights, safety, and environmental quality, which encompass more than just material wealth to reflect true standard of living.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quality of life model measures various factors beyond per capita GDP to accurately reflect differences in the standard of living across different regions. Key criteria used to measure quality of life include health, education, human rights, crime and personal safety, and environmental quality. These factors contribute to well-being in ways that material wealth alone cannot, and sometimes low-income regions can approximate the life expectancy of more affluent nations, indicating that high income is not the sole determinant of quality of life.
Other ways to compare the standard of living between countries include focusing on undernourishment levels, even in regions with high income, and considering social factors like community connectedness, which may be stronger in lower-income countries. The OECD Better Life Index is one tool developed to encompass these broader aspects and provide a more nuanced comparison of standards of living across the globe.