The Australian Social Progress Index by the Centre for Social Impact ranks states and territories on their social progress and provides a first-of-its-kind measure of Australia's social performance which is independent of economic factors.

The study looked at basic human needs, foundations to wellbeing and opportunity between 2015 and 2018.

Tasmania ranked fifth in 2015, 2016 and 2017 but jumped to third in the nation in 2018 after the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.

Tasmania was one of the highest performers in the opportunity dimension of the study, consistently ranked first or second for personal freedom and personal rights.

The state's environmental quality scores were among the lowest of the states and territories due to a lack of recent air quality data.

It was noted higher quality and up-to-date data was needed to better reflect Tasmania's environmental progress.

Other areas where Tasmania ranked lowest were access to advanced education and access to information.

CSI chief executive Professor Kristy Muir said Australia had long-needed an index which revealed how people and the environment were faring in each state.

"Gross domestic product can often be a misleading measurement of progress as it tells us nothing about people's quality of life," Professor Muir said.

"The purpose of the SPI is to ensure a clear, singular vision of what social progress looks like in Australia and encourage and support governments to see the gaps and commit to funding and outcomes solutions.

"The findings are reflective of the policies and social contexts the states and territories, not an indicator of how progressive actual individuals living in those jurisdictions are."

Researchers hope this type of social progress data will be used as a tool to guide policy and investment decisions.