Happy but Unequal : Differences in Subjective Well-Being across Individuals and Space in Colombia
Despite being on average a relatively happy country, Colombia has a high level of inequality in subjective well-being. Using Gallup World Poll data for the period from 2010 to 2018, this paper tests the direction and strength of association of a ra...
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| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2021
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/280931614198064402/Happy-but-Unequal-Differences-in-Subjective-Well-Being-across-Individuals-and-Space-in-Colombia http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35184 |
| Summary: | Despite being on average a relatively
happy country, Colombia has a high level of inequality in
subjective well-being. Using Gallup World Poll data for the
period from 2010 to 2018, this paper tests the direction and
strength of association of a range of objective and
subjective factors with subjective well-being and explains
differences in subjective well-being across individuals and
space. The perceived welfare of the average Colombian is
mainly influenced by conditions and expectations related to
economic opportunities and education. However, quantile
regressions, reveal substantial differences in the domains
that matter to those at the bottom and top of the
experienced welfare distribution. Standard-of-living
improvements, housing affordability, and civic engagement
matter more to the most fortunate top 20 percent, while
having education, a job, sufficient income, economic
security, and digital connectivity are much more strongly
associated with the well-being of the bottom 20 percent. The
life domains that matter more to the unhappiest respondents
also explain the majority of the spatial differences in
perceived welfare between residents in urban and rural areas
as well as core and peripheral regions. Policy actions aimed
at closing the gaps in these areas have the potential to
increase well-being and reduce inequality in Colombia. |
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