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Do Sen's capabilities determine happiness? Evidence from a unique survey data

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  • Hamid Hasan
  • Hayat Khan

Abstract

We use a unique dataset in the Pakistan Socio-Economic Survey (PSES) to measure sense-of-achievement, sense-of-freedom-to-achieve, and sense-of-ability-to-achieve which quantifies Sen's functioning, freedom and conversion efficiency respectively for an overall functioning of 'being achieved'. We show that the PSES capability indicators of subjective well-being (SWB) provide distinctive information while together with the happiness indicator they capture additional insights about SWB which is lacking in human development index (HDI) as shown by a comparison of districts ranking on the basis of HDI and SWB indices. Moreover, we find that the capabilities of 'being achieved' are the most important and stable determinants of happiness vis-à-vis income and education.

Suggested Citation

  • Hamid Hasan & Hayat Khan, 2015. "Do Sen's capabilities determine happiness? Evidence from a unique survey data," International Journal of Happiness and Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 2(2), pages 160-181.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijhdev:v:2:y:2015:i:2:p:160-181
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    Cited by:

    1. Leonie C. Steckermeier, 2021. "The Value of Autonomy for the Good Life. An Empirical Investigation of Autonomy and Life Satisfaction in Europe," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 154(2), pages 693-723, April.

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