Title: What makes Lahoris happy? Economic or non-economic factors or both?

Authors: Zartaj Kamran Khawaja; Bilal Mehmood

Addresses: Government College University, Katchery Road, Lahore, Pakistan ' Government College University, Katchery Road, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract: Happiness is not granted; it is something to strive for. Accordingly, this paper intends to scrutinise the impact of both economic (i.e., income, employment status, inflation and economic policy) and non-economic (i.e., health, education, terrorism and friends, family and relationships) factors on happiness. The analysis relies on the data collected through questionnaires, during February-April 2015 using convenience sampling method (N = 390) to represent the population of Lahore city. Results of descriptive statistics and structural equations modelling (SEM) reveal that both economic and non-economic variables are responsible for the happiness of individuals. This study offers substantial theoretical contributions regarding the factors individuals should value in their pursuit of happiness.

Keywords: happiness; income; economic policy; health; structural equations modelling; SEM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2018.093730

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2018 Vol.4 No.3, pp.261 - 281

Received: 18 Jan 2017
Accepted: 19 Sep 2017
Published online: 02 Aug 2018 *

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