Document Type
Article
Abstract
Previous research has found that the most influential factors determining the happiness of nations are the Human Development Index (HDI) and the GINI index. Using data from The World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Reports, The World Database of Happiness, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the New Economic Foundation's The (Un) Happy Planet Index 2.0, this study tests three regression models to determine what factors are most influential in determining the happiness of nations, holding everything else constant. All three models suggest that plentiful precipitation contributes to happiness. Two models imply that low corruption, a high Human Development Index, and low unemployment also matter. One model finds a positive relationship between happiness and a more equal income distribution.
Publication Date
Spring 2012
Journal Title
Major Themes in Economics
Volume
14
Issue
1
First Page
33
Last Page
54
Copyright
©2012 by Major Themes in Economics
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Lang, Julie
(2012)
"The Most Influential Factors in Determining the Happiness of Nations,"
Major Themes in Economics, 14, 33-54.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/mtie/vol14/iss1/5