A picture fuzzy entropy-based TOPSIS–WASPAS framework for life satisfaction assessment: Evidence from Türkiye

Abstract

This study analyzes and ranks life satisfaction across multiple domains for individuals living in Türkiye using fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approaches. The analysis is based on microdata obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute for the period 2020–2024 and covers fifteen life domains, including health, marriage, education, housing, neighborhood, employment, income, salary, social life, time allocated to personal care, time spent in traffic, and interpersonal relationships. Although the original survey data are collected using a Likert-type scale, this study accounts for the inherent uncertainty and subjectivity of individual responses by transforming ordinal evaluations into fuzzy numbers. Specifically, Picture Fuzzy Sets are employed to represent uncertainty in survey responses, while Picture Fuzzy Entropy, TOPSIS, and WASPAS methods are integrated to evaluate and rank life satisfaction domains. Fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methods are employed to reduce uncertainty in the decision-making process and to ensure an effective and reliable decision framework. The findings consistently indicate that economic domains, particularly income and salary, are associated with the lowest levels of life satisfaction. Social life, which is closely linked to economic conditions, ranks second in terms of dissatisfaction. In contrast, interpersonal domains, especially friendships and neighborly relations, exhibit the highest levels of satisfaction. Overall, the results highlight the central role of economic well-being in shaping subjective life satisfaction and illustrate the value of fuzzy approaches in the analysis of ordinal well-being data. As an application contribution, the study demonstrates the usefulness of a picture fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making framework for evaluating life satisfaction dimensions using large-scale national survey microdata.