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Reported Subjective Well-Being: A Challenge for Economic Theory and Economic Policy

Author

Listed:
  • Alois Stutzer
  • Bruno S. Frey

Abstract

Over the past few years, there has been a steadily increasing interest from economists in happiness research. This paper argues that reported subjective well-being is a satisfactory empirical approximation to individual utility and endeavors to provide an impression of this new, and challenging, development. We study data from the German Socio-Economic Panel to understand (i) the role of aspirations in the relationship between income and happiness better and (ii) the effect of unemployment on people’s satisfaction with life. We discuss some of the consequences for economic policy and for economic theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Alois Stutzer & Bruno S. Frey, 2004. "Reported Subjective Well-Being: A Challenge for Economic Theory and Economic Policy," Schmollers Jahrbuch : Journal of Applied Social Science Studies / Zeitschrift für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften, Duncker & Humblot, Berlin, vol. 124(2), pages 191-231.
    • Handle: RePEc:aeq:aeqsjb:v124_y2004_i2_q2_p191-231
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Victoria Giarrizzo, 2009. "Subjective economic welfare: Beyond growth," Economía, Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales (IIES). Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales. Universidad de Los Andes. Mérida, Venezuela, vol. 34(28), pages 9-34, july-dece.
    3. Stephan Meier & Alois Stutzer, 2008. "Is Volunteering Rewarding in Itself?," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 75(297), pages 39-59, February.
    4. Mammen, Sheila & Bauer, Jean W. & Lass, Daniel A., 2009. "Life Satisfaction Over Time Among Rural Low-income Mothers," Working Paper Series 47511, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Department of Resource Economics.
    5. Stephan Meier & Alois Stutzer, 2004. "Is Volunteering Rewarding in Itself? Evidence from a Natural Experiment," CREMA Working Paper Series 2004-12, Center for Research in Economics, Management and the Arts (CREMA).
    6. Kohler, Ulrich, 2004. "Empirische Untersuchung zweier Individualisierungshypothesen mit Querschnittsdaten aus 28 Ländern," Discussion Papers, Research Unit: Inequality and Social Integration SP I 2004-203, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    7. Moh Shadiqur Rahman & Novil Dedy Andriatmoko & Moh Saeri & Herman Subagio & Afrizal Malik & Joko Triastono & Renie Oelviani & Juliana C. Kilmanun & Helena da Silva & Marietje Pesireron & Rein Estefanu, 2022. "Climate Disasters and Subjective Well-Being among Urban and Rural Residents in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-14, March.
    8. Anna Cristina D’Addio & Simon Chapple & Andreas Hoherz & Bert Van Landeghem, 2014. "Using a quasi-natural experiment to identify the effects of birth-related leave policies on subjective well-being in Europe," OECD Journal: Economic Studies, OECD Publishing, vol. 2013(1), pages 235-268.
    9. Stanley, John K. & Hensher, David A. & Stanley, Janet R. & Vella-Brodrick, Dianne, 2021. "Valuing changes in wellbeing and its relevance for transport policy," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 16-27.
    10. Fujiwara, Daniel, 2013. "A general method for valuing non-market goods using wellbeing data: three-stage wellbeing valuation," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 51577, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    11. Daniel Fujiwara, 2013. "A General Method for Valuing Non-Market Goods Using Wellbeing Data: Three-Stage Wellbeing Valuation," CEP Discussion Papers dp1233, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    12. Tri Wahyu Nugroho & Nuhfil Hanani & Hery Toiba & Sujarwo Sujarwo, 2022. "Promoting Subjective Well-Being among Rural and Urban Residents in Indonesia: Does Social Capital Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, February.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D60 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - General
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J60 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - General

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