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Housing Property Rights and Subjective Wellbeing in Urban China

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  • Zhiming Cheng
  • Stephen P. King
  • Russell Smyth
  • Haining Wang

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between home ownership and subjective wellbeing in urban China. We first present a theoretical model examining the relationship between housing property rights and subjective wellbeing in China. We then test the predictions of the theoretical model using a nationally representative dataset. We find that not only home ownership, but the property rights one acquires and the source of those property rights matters for subjective wellbeing. Moreover, not only whether one has a home loan, but the type of home loan one has matters for subjective wellbeing.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiming Cheng & Stephen P. King & Russell Smyth & Haining Wang, 2014. "Housing Property Rights and Subjective Wellbeing in Urban China," Monash Economics Working Papers 44-14, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mos:moswps:2014-44
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Subjective wellbeing; housing property rights; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • K11 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Property Law
    • R21 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Housing Demand
    • R31 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Housing Supply and Markets

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