In this article we propose the construction of Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) from demographical and educative variables, applied to Spanish regions and provinces in the European context between 1860 and 1930. Our results show an unequal but extensive improvement of PQLI, which was superior to the one experimented in per capita product in this period. Morover, the evolution of PQLI spacial disparities suggests some parallels with Italian case and the necessity to be careful about the relationships between economic growth and well-being.