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Happiness, self-rated health, and income inequality: Evidence from nationwide surveys in Japan

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  • Oshio, Takashi
  • 小塩, 隆士
  • オシオ, タカシ
  • Kobayashi, Miki
  • 小林, 美樹
  • コバヤシ, ミキ

Abstract

We examine how regional inequality affects happiness and self-rated health at an individual level by using micro data from nationwide surveys in Japan. Individuals who live in the area of high inequality tend to report themselves as both unhappy and unhealthy, even after controlling for various individual and regional characteristics and taking into account the correlation between the two subjective outcomes. We also investigate how their sensitivities to regional inequality change by key individual attributes. People with an unstable work status are most affected by inequality when assessing both happiness and health.

Suggested Citation

  • Oshio, Takashi & 小塩, 隆士 & オシオ, タカシ & Kobayashi, Miki & 小林, 美樹 & コバヤシ, ミキ, 2009. "Happiness, self-rated health, and income inequality: Evidence from nationwide surveys in Japan," PIE/CIS Discussion Paper 451, Center for Intergenerational Studies, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    • Handle: RePEc:hit:piecis:451
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    File URL: https://hermes-ir.lib.hit-u.ac.jp/hermes/ir/re/17555/pie_dp451.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert J. MacCulloch & Rafael Di Tella & Andrew J. Oswald, 2001. "Preferences over Inflation and Unemployment: Evidence from Surveys of Happiness," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(1), pages 335-341, March.
    2. Adriana Lleras-Muney, 2005. "The Relationship Between Education and Adult Mortality in the United States," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 72(1), pages 189-221.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nobuyoshi Kikuchi, 2017. "Marginal Returns to Schooling and Education Policy Change in Japan," ISER Discussion Paper 0996, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University.
    2. Nobuyoshi Kikuchi, 2017. "Marginal Returns to Schooling and Education Policy Change in Japan," ISER Discussion Paper 0996r, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University, revised Oct 2017.

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    Keywords

    happiness; self-rated health; income inequality;
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