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La croissance rend-elle heureux ? La réponse des données subjectives

Author

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  • Claudia Senik

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, UP4 - Université Paris-Sorbonne, PJSE - Paris-Jourdan Sciences Economiques - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Andrew E. Clark

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris-Jourdan Sciences Economiques - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, IZA - Institute for the Study of Labor - IZA)

Abstract

The well-known Easterlin Paradox notes that, at the aggregate level, GDP growth does not seem to produce higher levels of well-being. Subjective Well-Being Data allow us to model directly the relationship between well-being and income. Empirical work then uncovers correlations that are consistent with social comparisons, adaptation and anticipations: these together may well produce a net correlation between well-being and income that is close to zero. Anticipations about future income play a positive role in individual well-being. The relationship between anticipations and others' income is key in this research. In a more mobile world, others' higher income may increase my well-being, because I have a good chance of sharing their good fortune in the future; in a less mobile world, others' income may reduce my well-being, as others' higher income tells me little about my own future prospects, and sentiments of envy prevail.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Senik & Andrew E. Clark, 2007. "La croissance rend-elle heureux ? La réponse des données subjectives," PSE Working Papers halshs-00588314, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:psewpa:halshs-00588314
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00588314
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