social indicator
any feature of a society or a subgroup within it that can be measured over time and is presumed to reveal some underlying aspect of social reality and quality of life. For example, the retail price index is used as a measure of inflation, which in turn is taken as a key indicator of economic performance. Other commonly used indicators are derived from unemployment figures, per capita income, poverty levels, labor conditions, housing costs, mental health, general health and mortality data, nutrition information, pollution levels, crime rates, education levels, opportunities for leisure and recreation, and the status of older adults. Researchers and policymakers frequently use social indicators to assess the extent to which a society is “progressing” as well as to make predictions about its future.