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Globally inclusive measures of subjective well-being: Updated evidence to inform national data collections

Author

Listed:
  • Conal Smith
  • Jessica Mahoney
  • Margreet Frieling
  • Hinako Percival

Abstract

This working paper examines globally inclusive approaches to measuring subjective well-being. The paper reviews concerns that existing research may be overly focused on certain population groups from wealthier countries, that are not internationally representative. While the evidence base that informed the 2013 OECD Guidelines on Measuring Subjective Well-being is found to draw on a wide range of cross-country studies, there are important gaps in global and intra-country sampling and certain populations remain underrepresented. An overview of new literature suggests four recurring classes of subjective well-being measures that are not currently well-captured: 1) low arousal positive affect; 2) relational affect; 3) social well-being; and 4) relational well-being. To enable inclusion of these measures, strong evidence is required to show that measures accurately reflect the intended concepts. Current evidence on the reliability and validity of most measures is limited and the paper concludes with a proposed question module for further testing.

Suggested Citation

  • Conal Smith & Jessica Mahoney & Margreet Frieling & Hinako Percival, 2025. "Globally inclusive measures of subjective well-being: Updated evidence to inform national data collections," OECD Papers on Well-being and Inequalities 35, OECD Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:oec:wiseaa:35-en
    as

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    culture; Indigenous peoples; inequalities; measurement; minority groups; subjective well-being; validity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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