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on Economics of Happiness |
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Issue of 2019‒06‒17
four papers chosen by |
| By: | Pugno, Maurizio; Sarracino, Francesco |
| Abstract: | The controversies on the relationship (or `gradient') between GDP and subjective well-being oppose those who claim that the gradient is positive and stable around the world to those who argue that long-run trends of subjective well-being are flat despite economic growth. The possible existence of structural breaks of the gradient within the same country is a challenge to both views. By focusing on the case of Italy, we show that the long-run trends of GDP and of well-being turned from increasing to decreasing, and the gradient exhibits a rise through two structural breaks. Macro and micro analyses explain why the gradient changes, and we find evidence consistent with the `loss aversion' hypothesis. In addition, the gradient changed because the erosion of trust in others, the increase of financial dissatisfaction and worsened health hinder well-being independently from income. |
| Keywords: | structural breaks, subjective well-being, economic growth, Easterlin paradox, trends, loss aversion |
| JEL: | D6 I31 O11 O12 |
| Date: | 2019–05–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:94150&r=all |
| By: | Leandro Prados de la Escosura (Universidad Carlos III, CEPR, Groningen) |
| Abstract: | This paper provides a long run view of human development as a capabilities measure of well-being for the last one-and-a-half centuries on the basis of an augmented historical human development index [AHHDI] that combines achievements in health, education, living standard, plus liberal democracy, and provides an alternative to the UN Human Development Index, HDI. The AHHDI shows substantial gains in world human development since 1870, especially during 1913-1970, but much room for improvement exists. Life expectancy has been the leading force behind its progress, especially until 1970. Human development spread unevenly. The absolute gap between western Europe and its offshoots plus Japan -the OECD- and the Rest of the world deepened over time, though fell in relative terms, with catching-up driven by longevity during the epidemiological transition and by democratization thereafter. This result compares favourably with the growing income gap. Economic growth and human development do not always go hand-in-hand. |
| Keywords: | Human Development, Well-being, Capabilities, Life Expectancy, Health Transition, Schooling, Income, Liberal Democracy |
| JEL: | I00 N30 O15 |
| Date: | 2019–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hes:wpaper:0157&r=all |
| By: | Prados de la Escosura, Leandro |
| Abstract: | This paper provides a long run view of human development as a capabilities measure of well-being for the last one-and-a-half centuries on the basis of an augmented historical human development index [AHHDI] that combines achievements in health, education, living standard, plus liberal democracy, and provides an alternative to the UN Human Development Index, HDI. The AHHDI shows substantial gains in world human development since 1870, especially during 1913-1970, but much room for improvement exists. Life expectancy has been the leading force behind its progress, especially until 1970. Human development spread unevenly. The absolute gap between western Europe and its offshoots plus Japan -the OECD- and the Rest of the world deepened over time, though fell in relative terms, with catching-up driven by longevity during the epidemiological transition and by democratisation thereafter. This result compares favourably with the growing income gap. Economic growth and human development do not always go hand-in-hand. |
| Keywords: | Health Transition; Human Development; Liberal democracy; Life Expectancy; schooling; Well-being |
| JEL: | I00 N30 O15 |
| Date: | 2019–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13744&r=all |
| By: | SANO Shinpei; YASUI Kengo; KUME Koichi; TSURU Kotaro |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we analyzed the association between transfer (relocation and transfer) and employee performance indicated through measurements such as wages or promotion, based on micro data for employees provided by RIETI. According to our results, there are wage premiums resulting from both the experience of relocation and of transfer, but they are not statistically different. Both the experience of relocation and of transfer enhance the probability of promotion to management positions. The coefficient of relocation on promotion is greater than of transfer. However, the difference between coefficients of relocation and transfer diminishes as further individual characteristics are included. The number of relocations, especially overseas transfers, enhance both wages and probability of promotion to management positions. Career skills which are associated with employee performance are positively correlated with the experience of relocation. Individuals with better academic records, better attendance records in high school, and greater participation in extra-curricular activity in high school are more likely to experience relocation. On the one hand, these school experiences overlap with employee premiums from relocation, but on the other hand, experience received during relocation has wider effects on employee performance than school-based experience. The experience of relocation improves job satisfaction and the sense of job suitability, but does not enhance overall happiness. An absence of management policy governing relocation tends to result in lower job satisfaction and sense of job suitability and overall happiness. In order to alleviate negative impacts on job satisfaction, the sense of job suitability and overall happiness caused by relocation, our findings suggest that it would be necessary to improve the working environment by promoting communication between employers and employees and adopting diverse employment patterns. |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:rdpsjp:19020&r=all |