Life Satisfaction in Urban China: Components and Determinants

No 3443, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

Abstract: Survey data from urban China in 2002 show levels of life satisfaction to be low, but not exceptionally so, by international comparison. Many of the determinants of life satisfaction in urban China appear comparable to those for people in other countries. These include, inter alia, unemployment, income, marriage, sex, health and age. Communist Party membership and political participation raise life satisfaction. People appear fairly satisfied with economic growth and low inflation, and this contributes to their overall life satisfaction. There is dissatisfaction over pollution, but this – like job insecurity – does not appear to impact on life satisfaction.

Keywords: economic growth; happiness; life satisfaction; unemployment; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I31 I38 J18 D63 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cna, nep-hap and nep-tra
Date: Written 2008-04
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Forthcoming in: World Development, 2008

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Related works:
Working Paper: Life Satisfaction in Urban China: Components and Determinants (2008)
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