Beyond GDP in an island region: constructing a capability-oriented well-being index for Corsica

Lise Bourdeau-Lepage (), Ghinevra Comiti, Morgane Millet (), Paul-Antoine Bisgambiglia (), Nathalie Lameta () and Graziella Luisi
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Lise Bourdeau-Lepage: UMR 5600 EVS, EVS - Environnement, Ville, Société - ENS de Lyon - École normale supérieure de Lyon - Université de Lyon - Mines Saint-Étienne MSE - École des Mines de Saint-Étienne - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UJML - Université Jean Moulin - Lyon 3 - Université de Lyon - INSA Lyon - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon - Université de Lyon - INSA - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - UJM EPE - Université Jean Monnet (EPSCPE) - ENTPE - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État - ENSAL - École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Lyon - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ALLHiS - Approches Littéraires, Linguistiques et Historiques des Sources - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - UJM EPE - Université Jean Monnet (EPSCPE)
Paul-Antoine Bisgambiglia: SPE - Laboratoire « Sciences pour l’Environnement » (UMR CNRS 6134 SPE) - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Università di Corsica Pasquale Paoli [Université de Corse Pascal Paoli], Università di Corsica Pasquale Paoli [Université de Corse Pascal Paoli]
Nathalie Lameta: Università di Corsica Pasquale Paoli [Université de Corse Pascal Paoli]

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Abstract: In a context where growth-centred development approaches are increasingly questioned, this paper develops a fine-grained diagnosis of objective well-being in Corsica using the OppChoLiv index, a capability-oriented composite indicator designed to move beyond GDP-centred assessments. Using 2022 data for 360 municipalities, we show that well-being inequalities are not organised around a simple island-wide divide. Instead, Corsica exhibits a patterned geography: major urban centres record comparatively low scores, several peri-urban belts reach higher levels and agricultural as well as remote rural areas display persistent vulnerability. These results speak to the ‘left-behind places' debate by revealing localised clusters where constraints often associated with left-behind trajectories compound – housing stress, lower incomes, employment instability and weaker access to everyday services – while also showing that such pockets coexist with more advantaged areas within an island region that remains highly residentially and touristically attractive. This suggests that ‘left-behindness' is better understood here as a multidimensional and spatially uneven condition, concentrated in specific municipalities where multiple constraints cumulate, rather than as a label for the region as a whole. The findings support differentiated, place-based policy mixes and highlight the value of complementing composite indicators with subjective and qualitative evidence on residents' relationships to place in island contexts.

Keywords: Composite index (OppChoLiv); Capability approach; Left-behind places; Territorial inequalities; Corsica; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-05-25
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Published in European Planning Studies, 2026, pp.1-24. ⟨10.1080/09654313.2026.2677714⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05658325

DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2026.2677714

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