A Measure of Well-Being Efficiency Based on the World Happiness Report

Francesco Sarracino and Kelsey O'Connor

No 15669, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: We estimate a measure of well-being efficiency that assesses countries' ability to transform inputs into subjective well-being (Cantril ladder). We use the six inputs (real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom of choice, absence of corruption, and generosity) identified in the World Happiness Reports and apply Data Envelopment Analysis to a sample of 126 countries. Efficiency scores reveal that high ranking subjective well-being countries, such as the Nordics, are not strictly the most efficient ones. Also, the scores are uncorrelated with economic efficiency. This suggests that the implicit assumption that economic efficiency promotes well-being is not supported. Subjective well-being efficiency can be improved by changing the amount (scale) or composition of inputs and their use (technical efficiency). For instance countries with lower unemployment, and greater healthy life expectancy and optimism are more efficient.

Keywords: efficiency; World Happiness Report; subjective well-being; Data Envelopment Analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D60 E23 I31 O15 O47 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 45 pages
Date: 2022-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eff, nep-hap and nep-hea
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published - published in: International Productivity Monitor , 2022, 43, 10-40.

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Journal Article: A Measure of Well-being Efficiency Based on the World Happiness Report (2022)
Working Paper: A measure of well-being efficiency based on the World Happiness Report (2022)
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