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on Economics of Happiness |
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Issue of 2019‒06‒24
five papers chosen by |
| By: | Wahba, Jackline (University of Southampton); Wang, Chuhong (University of Southampton) |
| Abstract: | We study the impact of adult children's internal migration on the health and subjective well-being of elderly parents left behind, distinguishing between the gender of the migrant children. To overcome migration endogeneity, we exploit novel and exogenous variation in children's astrological characteristics and apply instrumental variables methods. We find a positive effect of the migration of daughters on parents' health and life satisfaction, but no such beneficial effects when sons migrate. We further explore the mechanism through which this gender-biased migration effect may arise. Our findings have important implications for regions and countries that have high rates of female emigration. |
| Keywords: | migration, health, subjective well-being, gender, Chinese zodiac signs |
| JEL: | O15 I12 J14 J16 R23 |
| Date: | 2019–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12370&r=all |
| By: | Prados de la Escosura, Leandro (Universidad Carlos III, CEPR, and CAGE) |
| 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 Classification: I00, N30, O15 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cge:wacage:421&r=all |
| By: | Paula Carrasco (Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y de Administración. Instituto de Economía); Rodrigo Ceni (Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y de Administración. Instituto de Economía); Ivone Perazzo (Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y de Administración. Instituto de Economía); Gonzalo Salas (Universidad de la República (Uruguay). Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y de Administración. Instituto de Economía) |
| Abstract: | Este artículo analiza los canales que afectan al Bienestar Subjetivo (SWB, por sus siglas en inglés), y cuáles son los efectos de un Programa de Intermediación Social. Desarrollamos un simple modelo teórico para vincular el SWB con la riqueza individual y de referencia, el esfuerzo, y el nivel de aspiraciones. Luego de superar los problemas de selección con una variable instrumental que nos permite identificar los efectos causales, encontramos un impacto negativo sobre el SWB siendo el principal canal de este cambio la Riqueza Relativa Subjetiva, es decir, la relación entre el individuo y la riqueza de referencia. No hay efecto a través de los restantes canales teóricos, aunque los resultados sobre el SWB son heterogéneos según características psicológicas; son más altos entre aquellos con bajos niveles de aspiraciones y locus de control externo. Finalmente, desentrañamos las principales características del programa que podrían generar este efecto, brindando información relevante para los hacedores de políticas. |
| Keywords: | social intermediation program, subjective well-being, aspiration |
| JEL: | D60 I38 O15 |
| Date: | 2019–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulr:wpaper:dt-09-19&r=all |
| By: | Dmitriy, Skrypnik; Marina, Shakleina |
| Abstract: | This article examines the impact of counter-sanctions on the welfare of Russia’s population. We build a multiple-choice model and calculate the probability of being in a particular group of well-being based on the price (cost) of consumed counter-sanctions goods. The next step is the construction of a structural demand-supply system for estimating similar domestic good’s production elasticities. By knowing elasticity estimates we determine the price response to particular import closure. According to our estimates Russia's counter-sanctions led to an increase in poverty by 2.64 %. |
| Keywords: | counter sanctions; well-being; multiple-choice model; structural demand-supply system. |
| JEL: | C15 C30 C35 C38 C53 D12 F14 F17 I38 Q17 Q18 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:94478&r=all |
| By: | Brandolini, Andrea (Bank of Italy); Rosolia, Alfonso (Bank of Italy) |
| Abstract: | We analyse the evolution of EU citizens' living standards, considering the EU as a single country. Average living standards have improved considerably as the European integration process has unfolded. EU28 income inequality has steadily declined, mostly as a result of the macroeconomic convergence of new EU-accession countries. EU15 income inequality fell steadily until the mid-1980s, but picked up again during the economic turmoil following the Great Recession, largely reflecting the divergence between periphery and core countries in the euro area. Using a common EU standard reveals more progress in terms of poverty reduction. It also shows that the patterns of income convergence across member states differ across categories of residents, thus calling for a more careful consideration of the personal and national dimensions of EU policies. |
| Keywords: | European Union, Euro Area, European integration, income inequality, welfare |
| JEL: | D31 D63 E01 I32 |
| Date: | 2019–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12350&r=all |