Happiness Inequality in the United States

Justin Wolfers and Betsey Stevenson

No 6929, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This paper examines how the level and dispersion of self-reported happiness has evolved over the period 1972-2006. While there has been no increase in aggregate happiness, inequality in happiness has fallen substantially since the 1970s. There have been large changes in the level of happiness across groups: Two-thirds of the black-white happiness gap has been eroded, and the gender happiness gap has disappeared entirely. Paralleling changes in the income distribution, differences in happiness by education have widened substantially. We develop an integrated approach to measuring inequality and decomposing changes in the distribution of happiness, finding a pervasive decline in within-group inequality during the 1970s and 1980s that was experienced by even narrowly-defined demographic groups. Around one-third of this decline has subsequently been unwound. Juxtaposing these changes with large rises in income inequality suggests an important role for non-pecuniary factors in shaping the well-being distribution.

Keywords: Happiness; Subjective well-being; Inequality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D3 D63 I3 J1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-lab
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (114)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Happiness Inequality in the United States (2008)
Working Paper: Happiness Inequality in the United States (2008)
Working Paper: Happiness Inequality in the United States (2008)
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