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Multinational life satisfaction, perceived inequality and energy affordability

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  • Andrew Chapman

    (Kyushu University)

  • Hidemichi Fujii

    (Kyushu University)

  • Shunsuke Managi

    (Kyushu University)

Abstract

We analyse subjective experiences of energy poverty to address the limitations of existing observable indicators as evidence for policy. We investigate the linkage between self-reported energy affordability and life satisfaction, health and economic inequality. A large-scale survey of 100,956 respondents across 37 nations shows that energy affordability concerns individuals in both developing and developed nations. Self-reported (perceived) values do not necessarily follow previous research and vary according to regional, economic, development and cultural factors. Contrasting this evidence with national-level data, such as healthy life expectancy and government spending on health and welfare, we identify associations between self-reported outcomes, income levels and national policy. Although national welfare spending can reduce the perceived economic gap, high income is not necessarily associated with better perceived satisfaction, health or economic outcomes. Enhancing energy access may lead to improved health outcomes in the most marginalized nations; however, lifestyle and cultural factors also play a role. Although the outcomes of less-developed nations can likely improve through development aid from more-developed nations, our results show that cultural and other factors underpin satisfaction in developing nations, which experience comparatively poorer life satisfaction. We identified that some nations had superior outcomes for health and life satisfaction despite lower income levels. This highlights the need for further research to uncover non-income-based factors that underlie life satisfaction and health, such as community connectedness or familial factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Chapman & Hidemichi Fujii & Shunsuke Managi, 2019. "Multinational life satisfaction, perceived inequality and energy affordability," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(6), pages 508-514, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:2:y:2019:i:6:d:10.1038_s41893-019-0303-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0303-5
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Che, Xiahui & Zhu, Bangzhu & Wang, Ping, 2021. "Assessing global energy poverty: An integrated approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    2. Coulibaly, Thierry Yerema & Managi, Shunsuke, 2022. "Populations in slums are happier than rural populations: The case of Mumbai," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    3. Halkos, George & Managi, Shunsuke, 2023. "New developments in the disciplines of environmental and resource economics," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 513-522.
    4. Methorst, Joel & Rehdanz, Katrin & Mueller, Thomas & Hansjürgens, Bernd & Bonn, Aletta & Böhning-Gaese, Katrin, 2021. "The importance of species diversity for human well-being in Europe," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    5. Xiangdan Piao & Xinxin Ma & Tetsuya Tsurumi & Shunsuke Managi, 2022. "Social Capital, Negative Event, Life Satisfaction and Sustainable Community: Evidence from 37 Countries," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(3), pages 1311-1330, June.
    6. Xiangdan Piao & Xinxin Ma & Shunsuke Managi, 2021. "Impact of the Intra-household Education Gap on Wives’ and Husbands’ Well-Being: Evidence from Cross-Country Microdata," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 156(1), pages 111-136, July.
    7. Xiangdan Piao & Xinxin Ma & Chi Zhang & Shunsuke Managi, 2020. "Impact of Gaps in the Educational Levels between Married Partners on Health and a Sustainable Lifestyle: Evidence from 32 Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-20, June.
    8. Chapman, Andrew & Shigetomi, Yosuke & Karmaker, Shamal Chandra & Saha, Bidyut & Brooks, Caleb, 2022. "Cultural and demographic energy system awareness and preference: Implications for future energy system design in the United States," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    9. Igawa, Moegi & Managi, Shunsuke, 2022. "Energy poverty and income inequality: An economic analysis of 37 countries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PB).
    10. Janaki Imbulana Arachchi & Shunsuke Managi, 2023. "The role of social capital in subjective quality of life," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.

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