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Education and life satisfaction : perception or reality?

Author

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  • Mauricio Cárdenas Santa María
  • Carolina Mejía
  • Vincenzo Di Maro

Abstract

Using data from the Gallup World Poll, this paper analyze the way in which perceptions on thequality of education affect wellbeing. In addition, we explore if educational quality perceptions aredetermined by objective educational outputs, such as international standardized tests scores (i.e. PISAscores) and individual educational attainment. Results indicate that educational quality perceptionsare positively correlated with standardized test scores but negatively correlated with individualeducational attainment. Similarly, favorable perception on the quality of education contributes tohigher individual wellbeing, even after controlling for individual educational attainment and othertraditional determinants of wellbeing.

Suggested Citation

  • Mauricio Cárdenas Santa María & Carolina Mejía & Vincenzo Di Maro, 2008. "Education and life satisfaction : perception or reality?," Working Papers Series. Documentos de Trabajo 9188, Fedesarrollo.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000123:009188
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/11445/799
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Edsel Beja, 2012. "Subjective Well-Being Approach to Environmental Valuation: Evidence for Greenhouse Gas Emissions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 109(2), pages 243-266, November.
    2. Kim, Bokyung & Jeong, Jinook, 2017. "Dynamics of adolescents’ life satisfaction and effect of class rank percentile: Evidence from Korean panel data," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 8-28.
    3. Asena Caner, 2015. "Happiness, Comparison Effects, and Expectations in Turkey," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 1323-1345, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Wellbeing; educational quality perceptions; educational outcomes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty

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