Powdthavee, Nattavudh (2003) Is the structure of happiness equations the same in poor and rich countries? The case of South Africa. Working Paper. University of Warwick, Department of Economics, Coventry.

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Abstract

Is happiness pattern structurally the same between the poor countries and the rich countries? Using a cross-sectional data from SALDRU93 survey, we show that relationships between subjective well-being and socioeconomic variables have a similar structure in South Africa as they are in the developed countries. Well-being appears to rise with income. Unemployment, however, is detrimental to reported well-being, both at the individual- and household-level. Living standard indicators such as durable assets ownership seem to be as good determinants of happiness levels as income. Relative income also matters in the evaluation of subjective well-being, once relative consumption is controlled for.

Item Type:	Working or Discussion Paper (Working Paper)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform D History General and Old World > DT Africa
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Happiness -- South Africa, Quality of life -- South Africa, Unemployment -- South Africa, Poverty -- South Africa
Series Name:	Warwick economic research papers
Publisher:	University of Warwick, Department of Economics
Place of Publication:	Coventry
Date:	April 2003
Number:	No.675
Number of Pages:	51
Status:	Not Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/1514

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