Research on the quality of life in South Africa is increasing as a result of a growing concern to improve the living conditions and overall quality of life for many underprivileged South Africans. Perceptions of well-being and basic needs were investigated in a nationwide study conducted in 1982-83. Components of the variable "quality of life" were isolated, ranked and categorized to develop an instrument for measuring life satisfaction. The domains of living included in the study are the following: (1) health; (2) housing; (3) community facilities; (4) family life; (5) education; (6) occupations; (7) religious life; (8) income; (9) food; (10) socio-political issues; and (11) intimate, private, and social life. No single dimension of causality was found for the social divisions between races. A detailed description of the methodology is given and data is displayed in six tables. Nine appendices contain the instrument and various analyses of the components. A 42-item list of references is included. (VM)