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The Happiness Function in Italian Cities

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Bernini

    (University of Bologna)

  • Alessandro Tampieri

    (University of Bologna and CREA, Université du Luxembourg)

Abstract

We investigate how the city of residence influences subjective well-being. We build up a happiness function that considers city characteristics as determinants of well-being, and we combine individual and city level data through a multi-level analysis. We exploit the dataset HADL on Italian metropolitan area over the period 2010 to 2013. We find a strong variability across cities of the aspects of life that explain subjective well-being. Even accounting for a rich set of individual level variables, the location retains a role in shaping life satisfaction. Surprisingly, economic and familiar aspects explain happiness more at city level than at individual level.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Bernini & Alessandro Tampieri, 2017. "The Happiness Function in Italian Cities," DEM Discussion Paper Series 17-07, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.
    • Handle: RePEc:luc:wpaper:17-07
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Subjective well-being; happiness function; metropolitan area; multilevel models; city amenities.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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