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Exploring Urban–Rural Paradox: Does Going Rural Mean Higher Life Satisfaction?

Author

Listed:
  • Bianca Biagi

    (University of Sassari
    Gran Sasso Science Institute-L’Aquila; Italy)

  • Marta Meleddu

    (University of Sassari)

Abstract

A stylised fact in regional and urban studies of life satisfaction in developed countries is that people living in cities report being less satisfied than those in rural areas. Building upon the theoretical framework of Sen’s capability approach, along with research on life satisfaction and amenities, this paper examines the role of amenity availability and accessibility, as well as social relations, in shaping life satisfaction. Using data from the 2013–2018 household survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) in Italian regions at the NUTS2 level, this study explores the role of availability and accessibility of amenities and social relations on urban–rural life satisfaction. Results suggest that the likelihood of having higher life satisfaction is associated with living in wealthier rural places where higher-ranked cities exert accessibility and positive externalities in line with the borrowed size concept by Alonso (Daedalus 102(4):191–206, 1973).

Suggested Citation

  • Bianca Biagi & Marta Meleddu, 2024. "Exploring Urban–Rural Paradox: Does Going Rural Mean Higher Life Satisfaction?," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 10(2), pages 795-823, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:italej:v:10:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s40797-023-00248-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s40797-023-00248-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Life satisfaction; Urban–rural; Capabilities; Functioning; Amenities; Social relations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General

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