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Deriving Summary Measures of Wellbeing using the UK Household Longitudinal Study

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Listed:
  • Lui, Silvia
  • Rincon-Aznar, Ana

Abstract

In this paper we derive new summary measures related to wellbeing in the UK using self-reported responses to the General Health Questions (GHQs) in the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), for the period 2009-2020. Our study makes three main empirical contributions. First, we provide a more complete picture of changes in wellbeing in the UK compared to most empirical studies. Second, we provide a detailed breakdown of the trends by examining twelve measures in different UK regions, with elements that are conventionally regarded as direct measures of wellbeing (e.g., general happiness), and other elements that more indirectly reflect the state of wellbeing (e.g., sleep, confidence). Third, we establish a method to quantify categorical responses accounting for the impact of individual-specific and regional factors. The resulting summary measure, in the form of adjusted balance statistics, is therefore expected to be more informative than simple aggregation. Our results show that wellbeing in the UK has followed a downward trend since 2014, both at the national and regional level, and for most of the dimensions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lui, Silvia & Rincon-Aznar, Ana, 2024. "Deriving Summary Measures of Wellbeing using the UK Household Longitudinal Study," Discussion Papers escoe-dp-2024-09, Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence.
    • Handle: RePEc:eoe:escoed:escoe-dp-2024-09
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Philip McCann, 2020. "Perceptions of regional inequality and the geography of discontent: insights from the UK," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(2), pages 256-267, February.
    3. Akay, Alpaslan & Constant, Amelie & Giulietti, Corrado, 2014. "The impact of immigration on the well-being of natives," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 72-92.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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