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Happiness Inequality in China

Author

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  • Jidong Yang

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Kai Liu

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Yiran Zhang

    (Renmin University of China)

Abstract

Along with China becoming an upper-middle-income country from a lower-middle-income one after 2009, happiness inequality in China has been enlarged. Based on the Chinese General Social Survey database (2003–2015), this paper investigates the determinants of happiness inequality in China and explores what factors contribute to its enlargement after 2009. We find that a rise of income inequality as well as the population share of middle age cohorts can widen China’s happiness inequality, while an increase in income or education level has a reducing impact. Being in employment also has happiness inequality reducing impacts. A decomposition analysis shows that the deterioration of China’s happiness inequality is mainly caused by coefficient effects, i.e., the relationships between happiness inequality and its influencing factors have changed, which reflects the dramatic change in the Chinese economy and society. Among the coefficient effects, regional heterogeneity plays an important role. Policies enhancing economic performance and education as well as reducing income inequality and regional inequality can help to mitigate happiness inequality and improve social harmony in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Jidong Yang & Kai Liu & Yiran Zhang, 2019. "Happiness Inequality in China," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(8), pages 2747-2771, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-018-0067-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-0067-z
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    3. Wang Chenyang, 2024. "Does Health Insurance Boost Subjective Well-being? Examining the Link in China through a National Survey," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 18(1), pages 1-12.
    4. T. Lakshmanasamy & K. Maya, 2020. "The Effect of Income Inequality on Happiness Inequality in India: A Recentered Influence Function Regression Estimation and Life Satisfaction Inequality Decomposition," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 14(2), pages 161-181, August.
    5. Arletta Isaeva & Raufhon Salahodjaev, 2021. "Correlates of Life Satisfaction Inequality in Russia," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(5), pages 2251-2269, October.
    6. Ma, Yong & Chen, Diandian, 2020. "Openness, rural-urban inequality, and happiness in China," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 44(4).
    7. Ma, Wanglin & Ma, Wanglin & Zheng, Hongyun, 2021. "Impacts of Cooking Fuel Choices on Subjective Well-Being: Insights from Rural China," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315149, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    8. Li, Junpeng & Ma, Wanglin & Gong, Binlei, 2023. "Market participation and subjective well-being of maize farmers," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 941-960.
    9. Can Mavruk & Ersin Kıral & Gülsen Kıral, 2021. "Spatial Effects Over Time-Framed Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 517-554, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Happiness inequality; Income; Income inequality; Education; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J17 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Value of Life; Foregone Income
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy

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