Life Satisfaction in Urban China: Components and Determinants

Lina Song and Simon Appleton

No 3443, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (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: D63 I31 I38 J18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29 pages
Date: 2008-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cna, nep-hap and nep-tra
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (142)

Published - published in: World Development, 2008, 36 (11), 2325-2340

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Journal Article: Life Satisfaction in Urban China: Components and Determinants (2008)
Working Paper: Life Satisfaction in Urban China: Components and Determinants (2008)
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