The Interplay of Happiness and Sustainability: A Multidimensional Scaling and K-Means Cluster Approach

Emmanuel Detrinidad () and Víctor-Raúl López-Ruiz ()
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Emmanuel Detrinidad: Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Plaza de Universidad 1, 02071 Albacete, Spain
Víctor-Raúl López-Ruiz: Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Plaza de Universidad 1, 02071 Albacete, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: This study examines the intricate relationship between national happiness and sustainability by analyzing data from the 2024 World Happiness Report (WHR) and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Index across 74 countries. Employing multidimensional scaling (MDS) and K-means clustering, we investigate the interplay of economic, social, and environmental factors that contribute to subjective well-being. Our results indicate that high-income countries, particularly those characterized by secular–rational values, tend to achieve elevated scores in both happiness and sustainability. In contrast, lower-income nations exhibit diverse cultural value systems that significantly influence their happiness and sustainability outcomes. This analysis identifies distinct clusters of countries with unique governance and cultural profiles, underscoring the inadequacies of traditional economic indicators in measuring societal well-being. By integrating sustainability metrics into happiness assessments, we propose a comprehensive framework for understanding and promoting human happiness. These findings offer critical insights for policymakers aiming to address pressing global challenges, including inequality and health disparities.

Keywords: happiness; sustainability; cultural values; multidimensional scaling (MDS); K-means clustering; happiness indices; sustainable development goals index (SDGI); subjective well-being; policy implications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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