Is the Structure of Happiness Equations the Same in Poor and Rich Countries? The Case of South Africa

Nattavudh Powdthavee

No 269488, Economic Research Papers from University of Warwick - Department of Economics

Abstract: Are happiness patterns structurally the same when comparing poor and rich countries? Using cross-sectional data from the SALDRU93 survey, we show that the relationships between subjective well-being and socioeconomic variables have a similar structure and is U-shaped in age in South Africa as in developed countries. Well-being rises with income. Unemployment is detrimental to reported well-being, both at the individual- and household-level. Living standard indicators such as durable assets ownership seem to determine happiness levels as well as income. Relative income also matters to well-being, after controlling for community wealth.

Keywords: Food Security and Poverty; Labor and Human Capital (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 51
Date: 2003-04-04
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Is the Structure of Happiness Equations the Same in Poor and Rich Countries? The Case of South Africa (2003)
Working Paper: IS THE STRUCTURE OF HAPPINESS EQUATIONS THE SAME IN POOR AND RICH COUNTRIES? THE CASE OF SOUTH AFRICA (2003)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uwarer:269488

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.269488

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