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Title: Subjective wellbeing and behavioural preferences: evidence from global survey data

Authors: Karl Overdick; Jan-Emmanuel De Neve

Addresses: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Park End St, Oxford OX1 1HP, UK ' Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Park End St, Oxford OX1 1HP, UK

Abstract: Previous work has shown that behavioural traits are key determinants of subjective wellbeing (SWB). We provide global evidence on the relationship between a set of behavioural preferences and SWB. Preferences measure behavioural traits based on both subjective and experimental data. We use the global preferences survey (GPS) and the Gallup World Poll (GWP) covering a globally representative population from 76 countries. Results indicate strong correlations between different measures of SWB and the set of preferences consisting of patience, risk taking, positive reciprocity, negative reciprocity, altruism and trust. The correlations tend to be positive suggesting that being more patient, risk taking, reciprocal, altruistic or trusting is beneficial for SWB. The coefficients are remarkably similar for the different regions of the world.

Keywords: SWB; subjective wellbeing; preferences; Gallup data; regression analysis; globally representative data; life satisfaction; happiness; worry; sadness; patience; risk taking.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2026.153737

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2026 Vol.10 No.2, pp.140 - 171

Received: 02 Feb 2024
Accepted: 06 May 2024
Published online: 22 May 2026 *