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Rising Income Inequality During the Great Recession Had No Impact on Subjective Wellbeing in Europe, 2003–2012

Author

Listed:
  • M. D. R. Evans

    (University of Nevada)

  • Jonathan Kelley

    (University of Nevada
    International Survey Center)

  • S. M. C. Kelley

    (University of California, Berkeley
    American Institutes for Research)

  • C. G. E. Kelley

    (American Institutes for Research)

Abstract

The Great Recession increased income inequality by an average of 6%. We assesses the impact of that on subjective wellbeing (happiness, life satisfaction). Data: European Quality of Life survey, 25 representative national samples at three time points, over 70,000 respondents. Analysis: variance-components multi-level models controlling for GDP per capita (an essential point) and individual-level predictors. Findings: income inequality has no statistically significant impact before, during, or after the Great Recession. Instead (contrary to much previous research) a straightforward individualistic utilitarian–materialist understanding is supported: money does increase wellbeing but inequality itself—the gap between rich and poor—is irrelevant.

Suggested Citation

  • M. D. R. Evans & Jonathan Kelley & S. M. C. Kelley & C. G. E. Kelley, 2019. "Rising Income Inequality During the Great Recession Had No Impact on Subjective Wellbeing in Europe, 2003–2012," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 203-228, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10902-017-9917-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-017-9917-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Sarah Kelley & M. D. R. Evans & Jonathan Kelley, 2023. "Happily Distant or Bitter Medicine? The Impact of Social Distancing Preferences, Behavior, and Emotional Costs on Subjective Wellbeing During the Epidemic," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(1), pages 115-162, February.
    2. Weerakkody, Vishanth & Sivarajah, Uthayasankar & Mahroof, Kamran & Maruyama, Takao & Lu, Shan, 2021. "Influencing subjective well-being for business and sustainable development using big data and predictive regression analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 520-538.
    3. Encarnación Álvarez-Verdejo & Pablo J. Moya-Fernández & Juan F. Muñoz-Rosas, 2021. "Single Imputation Methods and Confidence Intervals for the Gini Index," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(24), pages 1-20, December.
    4. M. D. R. Evans & Jonathan Kelley & C. G. E. Kelley & S. M. C. Kelley, 2020. "Income Inequality in the Great Recession did not Harm Subjective Health in Europe, 2003–2012," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(5), pages 1451-1473, November.

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