The Paradox of Wealthy Nations’ Low Adolescent Life Satisfaction

Robert Rudolf and Dirk Bethmann
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Robert Rudolf: Korea University

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2023, vol. 24, issue 1, No 5, 79-105

Abstract: Abstract Using PISA 2018 data from nearly half a million 15-year-olds across 72 middle- and high-income countries, this study investigates the relationship between economic development and adolescent subjective well-being. Findings indicate a negative log-linear relationship between per-capita GDP and adolescent life satisfaction. The negative nexus stands in stark contrast to the otherwise positive relationship found between GDP per capita and adult life satisfaction for the same countries. Results are robust to various model specifications and both macro and micro approaches. Moreover, our analysis suggests that this apparent paradox can largely be attributed to higher learning intensity in advanced countries. Effects are found to be more pronounced for girls than for boys.

Keywords: Economic development; Adolescent life satisfaction; Learning intensity; Education competition; Mental cost; PISA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I15 I25 I31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00595-2

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