December 18, 2024
Overview:
The relationship between income and happiness has long been debated. Richard Easterlin’s groundbreaking research in the 1970s revealed a paradox: while higher incomes make people happier, this effect does not apply equally across different countries. Research suggests that it is not just how much money an individual makes, but how their income compares to others that influence their happiness. This One Health Trust co-authored article explores how wealth inequality affects the link between income rank and quality of life.
The Question:
How does wealth inequality influence the relationship between a person’s income rank (how their income compares to others) and their quality of life in India? Does income rank have a stronger effect on happiness in regions with more wealth inequality?
The Findings:
People with a higher income rank reported higher quality of life. However, in regions with greater wealth inequality, this link was even stronger. In other words, in places where there is more disparity between the rich and poor, how much better off one feels compared to others becomes a bigger factor in personal happiness. This highlights the role of social comparisons in well-being and suggests that addressing inequality could improve overall happiness in society.
Read the article is SSM Population Health here.
