Subjective wellbeing and behavioural preferences: evidence from global survey data

Karl Overdick and Jan-Emmanuel De Neve

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2026, vol. 10, issue 2, 140-171

Abstract: Previous work has shown that behavioural traits are key determinants of subjective wellbeing (SWB). We provide global evidence on the relationship between a set of behavioural preferences and SWB. Preferences measure behavioural traits based on both subjective and experimental data. We use the global preferences survey (GPS) and the Gallup World Poll (GWP) covering a globally representative population from 76 countries. Results indicate strong correlations between different measures of SWB and the set of preferences consisting of patience, risk taking, positive reciprocity, negative reciprocity, altruism and trust. The correlations tend to be positive suggesting that being more patient, risk taking, reciprocal, altruistic or trusting is beneficial for SWB. The coefficients are remarkably similar for the different regions of the world.

Keywords: SWB; subjective wellbeing; preferences; Gallup data; regression analysis; globally representative data; life satisfaction; happiness; worry; sadness; patience; risk taking. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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