Article: The effects of urbanisation level and mobility on happiness in OECD countries Journal: International Journal of Happiness and Development (IJHD) 2018 Vol.4 No.3 pp.195 - 208 Abstract: This article examines the effects of urbanisation level and mobility on happiness in organisation for economic cooperation and development (OECD) countries using data provided by World Bank and OECD statistics. Although the focus on the relationship between urbanisation and happiness has been growing, the researchers have not been able adequately to define an urban or rural class due to the complex characteristics of a cross-national analysis. The link between mobility and happiness has not been studied extensively, and the relationship between mobility and happiness has not been proven consistently. The data in this study were calculated and compiled with relatively homogeneous and consistent criteria. This article concluded that the urbanisation level and mobility have a negative relationship with happiness. In addition, it identified different geographical patterns of happiness. Eastern Asian countries are characterised by high levels of urbanisation compared to other countries. Northern and Western European countries were happier compared to other countries with similar levels of economic developments. Eastern and Southern European countries were unhappier, even though their urbanisation levels are like those in Northern and Western European countries. The results obtained in this paper could help create public policies to enhance happiness. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: The effects of urbanisation level and mobility on happiness in OECD countries

Authors: Donghwan Kim

Addresses: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, 5000 Gulf Freeway Building 4, Room 216, Houston, TX 77204, USA

Abstract: This article examines the effects of urbanisation level and mobility on happiness in organisation for economic cooperation and development (OECD) countries using data provided by World Bank and OECD statistics. Although the focus on the relationship between urbanisation and happiness has been growing, the researchers have not been able adequately to define an urban or rural class due to the complex characteristics of a cross-national analysis. The link between mobility and happiness has not been studied extensively, and the relationship between mobility and happiness has not been proven consistently. The data in this study were calculated and compiled with relatively homogeneous and consistent criteria. This article concluded that the urbanisation level and mobility have a negative relationship with happiness. In addition, it identified different geographical patterns of happiness. Eastern Asian countries are characterised by high levels of urbanisation compared to other countries. Northern and Western European countries were happier compared to other countries with similar levels of economic developments. Eastern and Southern European countries were unhappier, even though their urbanisation levels are like those in Northern and Western European countries. The results obtained in this paper could help create public policies to enhance happiness.

Keywords: urbanisation; happiness; subjective well-being; SWB; organisation for economic cooperation and development; OECD; mobility.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2018.093727

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2018 Vol.4 No.3, pp.195 - 208

Received: 20 Apr 2017
Accepted: 14 Aug 2017
Published online: 02 Aug 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: The effects of urbanisation level and mobility on happiness in OECD countries

Keep up-to-date