The Effects of Relative Income and Absolute Income on Happiness

Hung-Lin Tao and Shih-Yung Chiu

Review of Development Economics, 2009, vol. 13, issue 1, pages 164-174

Abstract: The authors consider the absolute income effect and several relative income effects on happiness. The latter include both a longitudinal comparison, which consists of both upward and downward comparisons, and a parallel comparison with individuals of similar traits. It is found that the longitudinal comparison and parallel comparison exist simultaneously, although the downward comparison is insignificant. However, the symmetry of the upward comparison, downward comparison, and parallel comparison cannot be rejected. Because the absolute income effect and the relative income effects countervail, the effect of income growth on subjective well-being is likely to be negligible. Copyright © 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Date: 2009

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