 The welfare effects of time reallocation: evidence from Daylight Saving TimeJoan Costa‐Font,
Sarah Flèche and
Ricardo Pagan Rodriguez
Economica, 2024, vol. 91, issue 362, 547-568 Abstract: Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a widely adopted practice implemented by over 70 countries to align sunlight with day‐to‐day activities and reduce energy demands. However, we do not have a clear knowledge of how it affects individuals' welfare. Using a regression discontinuity combined with a difference‐in‐differences design, we find that the Spring DST transition causes a significant decline in life satisfaction. By inducing a reallocation of time, the transition into DST deteriorates sleep quality and increases time stress, which in turn affects physical and emotional health. Using an event study approach, we find that such effects persist for about six days after the DST transition. Conversely, we provide evidence that the Autumn DST transition gives rise to a significant increase in life satisfaction. Finally, using a simple cost‐benefit analysis, we discuss the potential benefits of ending DST. Date: 2024 Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:econom:v:91:y:2024:i:362:p:547-568 Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from Access Statistics for this article Economica is currently edited by Frank Cowell, Tore Ellingsen and Alan Manning More articles in Economica from London School of Economics and Political Science Contact information at EDIRC. |
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