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What Can Economists Learn from Happiness Research?

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  • Bruno S. Frey
  • Alois Stutzer

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a steadily increasing interest on the part of economists in happiness research. We argue that reported subjective well-being is a satisfactory empirical approximation to individual utility and that happiness research is able to contribute important insights for economics. We report how the economic variables income, unemployment and inflation affect happiness as well as how institutional factors, in particular the type of democracy and the extent of government decentralization, systematically influence how satisfied individuals are with their life. We discuss some of the consequences for economic policy and for economic theory.

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  • Bruno S. Frey & Alois Stutzer, 2002. "What Can Economists Learn from Happiness Research?," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 40(2), pages 402-435, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jeclit:v:40:y:2002:i:2:p:402-435
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/002205102320161320
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    JEL classification:

    • A10 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - General
    • D60 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - General
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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