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Can “happiness data” help evaluate economic policies?

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  • Robert MacCulloch

    (Auckland University, New Zealand)

Abstract

Imagine a government confronted with a controversial policy question, like whether it should cut the level of unemployment benefits. Will social welfare rise as a result? Will some groups be winners and other groups be losers? Will the welfare gap between the employed and unemployed increase? “Happiness data” offer a new way to make these kinds of evaluations. These data allow us to track the well-being of the whole population, and also sub-groups like the employed and unemployed people, and correlate the results with relevant policy changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert MacCulloch, 2016. "Can “happiness data” help evaluate economic policies?," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 226-226, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:y:2016:n:226
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    well-being; happiness data; unemployment benefit policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J65 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment Insurance; Severance Pay; Plant Closings
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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