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Measuring and Using Happiness to Support Public Policies

Author

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  • John F. Helliwell

Abstract

This paper summarizes the philosophical and empirical grounds for giving a primary role to the evaluations that people make of the quality of their lives. These evaluations permit comparisons among communities, regions, nations and population subgroups, enable the estimation of the relative importance of various sources of happiness, and provide a well-being lens to aid the choice of public policies to support well-being. Available results expose the primacy of social determinants of happiness, and especially the power of generosity and other positive social connections to improve the levels, distribution and sustainability of well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • John F. Helliwell, 2019. "Measuring and Using Happiness to Support Public Policies," NBER Working Papers 26529, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:26529
    Note: PE POL
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Barnes, Spencer, 2021. "Killing in the stock market: Evidence from organ donations," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 32(C).
    2. David G. Blanchflower, 2020. "Is Happiness U-shaped Everywhere? Age and Subjective Well-being in 132 Countries," NBER Working Papers 26641, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Kelsey J. O'Connor & Stefano Bartolini, 2025. "Effects of Teaching Practices on Life Satisfaction and Test Scores: Evidence From the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 78(3), pages 749-774, August.
    4. Robson Morgan & Kelsey J. O’Connor, 2022. "Labor Market Policy and Subjective Well-Being During the Great Recession," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 391-422, February.
    5. O'Connor, Kelsey J., 2020. "The effect of immigration on natives’ well-being in the European Union," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 257-274.
    6. David G. Blanchflower, 2021. "Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 34(2), pages 575-624, April.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D6 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • Z18 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Public Policy

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