International Journal of Happiness and Development (4 papers in press)

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• Open Access

  Subjective wellbeing and behavioural preferences: evidence from global survey data ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Karl Overdick, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve 
  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.2025.10075274
   
  
• Time perspectives: exploring the nexus of life satisfaction, temporal focus, and individual pace of life  
  by Emel Mirza, Ayşen Edirneligil 
  Abstract: Time is a finite resource which can be utilised for production and consumption. How people utilise this vital resource in their daily activities is relevant in terms of its welfare consequences. The term pace of life refers to the varying speed at which an individual carries out their daily activities, and it can be an essential factor to consider when examining their overall life satisfaction. Although previous economic studies have addressed this variable at the country or regional level, very few studies have examined its impact at the individual level. Temporal focus, on the other hand shows the degree to which people focus their attention on the past, present or future. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the connections between the pace of life, temporal focus, and life satisfaction at the individual level. The findings indicate that the individual pace of life is a significant determinant of life satisfaction.
  Keywords: pace of life; time; temporal focus; well-being; life satisfaction; hierarchical regression.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2025.10074427
   
  
• The happiness of housewives: a review of research  
  by Shoirakhon Nurdinova, Ruut Veenhoven 
  Abstract: The happiness of housewives is a central issue in debates about womens emancipation. Feminists argue that full-time housewives are unhappy, while opponents contend that housewives are happier than working women, especially working mothers. Many women also question whether they would be happier as a full-time housewife or by working outside the home. Method: We review empirical research on this topic from the World Database of Happiness, which lists 49 scientific publications addressing the subject of housewife. Most of these studies use acceptable measures of happiness, yielding a total of 88 research findings. Results: Cross-sectional studies indicate that housewives are generally less happy than working women, but happier than other groups such as the self-employed, unemployed, and retired individuals in the same country. These differences vary considerably across time, place, and occupation. Longitudinal studies suggest that housewives are happier than working women over time.
  Keywords: happiness; research synthesis; housewife; working mother; review; quality of life; feminist economics; happiness studies.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2025.10075273
   
  
• Does happiness transfer economic growth spillovers through democracy?  
  by Ramin Amani, Abbas Assari Arani, Almas Heshmati, Lotfali Agheli 
  Abstract: This paper investigates whether happiness generates growth spillovers through democracy. Using a panel of 100 countries from 2013 to 2024, we construct a democracy-based weight matrix capturing institutional proximity. Estimating a Spatial Durbin Panel Data model, we decompose growth determinants into direct (within-country) and indirect (spillover) effects. Results show that higher happiness is associated with higher domestic growth and positive spillovers to institutionally proximate democracies. These findings are robust to standard controls and an alternative geographic matrix. However, spillovers are larger and more precisely estimated when countries are linked by democracy rather than physical distance. Spillovers are strongest among democratic and intermediate regimes and weak in non-democracies, underscoring institutional qualitys role in mediating international diffusion. The paper shows that promoting subjective well-being and democratic governance can generate more inclusive development than focusing on material growth alone.
  Keywords: happiness; economic growth; spatial econometrics; democratic governance; growth spillovers; institutional proximity; democracy weight matrix; spatial Durbin model; well-being economics.