| Abstract: |
Despite being on average a relatively happy country, Colombia has a high level
of inequality in subjective well-being. Using Gallup World Poll data for the
period from 2010 to 2018, this paper tests the direction and strength of
association of a range of objective and subjective factors with subjective
well-being and explains differences in subjective well-being across
individuals and space. The perceived welfare of the average Colombian is
mainly influenced by conditions and expectations related to economic
opportunities and education. However, quantile regressions, reveal substantial
differences in the domains that matter to those at the bottom and top of the
experienced welfare distribution. Standard-of-living improvements, housing
affordability, and civic engagement matter more to the most fortunate top 20
percent, while having education, a job, sufficient income, economic security,
and digital connectivity are much more strongly associated with the well-being
of the bottom 20 percent. The life domains that matter more to the unhappiest
respondents also explain the majority of the spatial differences in perceived
welfare between residents in urban and rural areas as well as core and
peripheral regions. Policy actions aimed at closing the gaps in these areas
have the potential to increase well-being and reduce inequality in Colombia. |