The Welfare Effects of Time Reallocation: Evidence from Daylight Saving Time

Costa-Font, Joan; Flèche, Sarah; Pagan Rodriguez, Ricardo

The Welfare Effects of Time Reallocation: Evidence from Daylight Saving Time

Joan Costa-Font, Sarah Flèche and Ricardo Pagan Rodriguez

Abstract: Daylight Saving Time (DST) is currently implemented by more than seventy countries, yet we do not have a clear knowledge of how it affects individuals' welfare. Using a regression discontinuity design combined with a differences-in-differences approach, we find that the Spring DST causes a significant decline in life satisfaction. By inducing a reallocation of time, the transition into DST deteriorates sleep and increases time stress, which in turn affects physical and emotional health. After performing a simple cost-benefit analysis, we find evidence suggestive that ending DST would exert a positive effect on welfare, namely the wellbeing costs associated with DST exceed its benefits.

Keywords: Daylight Saving Time; wellbeing; health; sleep; time stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hap and nep-ltv
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