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on Economics of Happiness |
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Issue of 2026–02–23
six papers chosen by Viviana Di Giovinazzo, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca |
| By: | Cooper, Kristen B.; Heffetz, Ori; Ifcher, John; Oparina, Ekaterina; Wu, Stephen |
| Abstract: | The authors of this article discuss ideas for incorporating the study of happiness and other measures of self-reported or subjective well-being (SWB) into undergraduate economics courses. They begin by motivating why economics students would benefit from learning about SWB, and then proceed to provide examples of ways to introduce this topic into different parts of the curriculum: macroeconomics, microeconomics, and upper-division electives. |
| Keywords: | happiness; subjective well-being; undergraduate curriculum; pedagogy |
| JEL: | A22 I30 |
| Date: | 2026–01–24 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:129888 |
| By: | Burger, Martijn J.; Courchesne, Sarah; Greyling, Talita; O'Connor, Kelsey J.; Rossouw, Stephanie; Sarracino, Francesco; Veenhoven, Ruut |
| Abstract: | Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has long been used as a proxy for human progress, despite growing recognition of its limitations. Recently, numerous "beyond GDP" initiatives have emerged, promoting multidimensional dashboards to assess quality of life. However, these often lack a clear headline indicator, limiting their usefulness for policymaking and public communication. This paper argues for placing subjective well-being (SWB) at the center of progress measurement in dashboards. SWB captures the overall impact of life conditions on people's lived experiences and offers a clear, outcome-oriented metric aligned with what truly matters: a good life. We explore how SWB can serve as a headline indicator, complemented by measures of the conditions that support it, to improve policy relevance, accountability, and legitimacy. We also address key measurement challenges and propose ways to overcome them for more effective integration into decision-making frameworks. |
| Keywords: | Beyond GDP, quality of life, measures, subjective well-being |
| JEL: | I31 D60 O10 |
| Date: | 2026 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1710 |
| By: | Francisca Castro; Tilman Brück; Hadi Jaafar; Wolfgang Stojetz |
| Abstract: | When refugees flee abroad, they carry the legacy of their traumatic experiences across borders. While there are over 43 million refugees worldwide, the long-term effects of conflict exposure on their well-being remain poorly understood. This paper examines how pre-displacement exposure to violent conflict and environmental stressors shapes the long-term social well-being of Syrian refugees in Jordan, focusing on life satisfaction, social trust, and social safety nets. |
| Keywords: | Refugees, Conflict, Climate, Wellbeing, Mental health, Syria, Jordan |
| Date: | 2026 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2026-5 |
| By: | Pamplona de Uña, Carmen |
| Abstract: | This study analyzes the impact of teleworking on subjective well-being, mental health, and work-life balance in Portugal. Using Linear Probability and Logit models, the research demonstrates that full-time teleworking significantly improves work-life reconciliation. However, the results reveal a gender gap: while the benefits are robust for men, they are statistically insignificant for women. Furthermore, the study identifies a correlation between depression among Portuguese workers and their total workload (number of hours worked). The study concludes that teleworking is not a neutral tool and requires specific policies and shared responsibility to ensure an equitable impact. |
| Keywords: | Teletrabajo (Teleworking), Conciliación (Work-life balance), Salud mental (Mental health), Brecha de género (Gender gap), Portugal |
| JEL: | J16 J17 J21 J22 J28 J81 |
| Date: | 2026–01–25 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:127847 |
| By: | Prati, Alberto; Senik, Claudia |
| Abstract: | Une nouvelle question a été introduite en juin 2025 dans notre enquête trimestrielle. Elle concerne le nombre de déjeuners et de dîners pris en compagnie d’autres personnes au cours de sept derniers jours. L’analyse des données recueillies au cours des trois premières vagues montre que cette mesure du lien social est fortement corrélée avec les différentes dimensions du bien-être subjectif : satisfaction de vie, sens, sentiment de bonheur, de dépression ou de solitude. Cette question simple, facile à mesurer et à comparer dans le temps et dans l’espace constitue un indicateur prometteur pour la mesure du lien social et du bien-être de nos sociétés. |
| Keywords: | France, Bien-être, Satisfaction, Solitude |
| Date: | 2026–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpm:notobe:2604 |
| By: | Laetitia Lebihan (CEMOI - Centre d'Économie et de Management de l'Océan Indien - UR - Université de La Réunion) |
| Abstract: | The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 temporarily provided unconditional monthly cash benefits to most households with children to reduce child poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the American Time Use Survey and Well-Being Supplement, we examine the effects of the 2021 Child Tax Credit (CTC) expansion on well-being and time-use activities of households with children. We find that the CTC expansion was associated with improved parental well-being and health. The analysis also shows a significant increase in the time the parent spends with the child. The results are robust to several robustness checks and consistent with existing evidence. |
| Keywords: | Child tax credit, Well-being, Health, Time use |
| Date: | 2025–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05509374 |