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Correlational findings

Study Fischer (2009b): study ZZ OECD member states 1997 /1

Public
Adults, general public, 30 OECD Countries, 1997-2001
Sample
Respondents
N = 45000
Non Response
not reported
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face

Correlate

Authors's Label
Income inequality (Gini)
Our Classification
Remarks
Data: OECD (2008)
Distribution
Range= 23-38, Higher values denote more inequality
Operationalization
Income inequality in nations in 2000 and 2005 in Gini coefficients
A:  before tax (market inequality)
B: after tax (final consumption inequality)

Observed Relation with Happiness

Happiness Measure Statistics Elaboration / Remarks O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = +.02 ns 2000 income inequality before tax

Same result obtained for:
- income inequality before tax in 2005
- a smaller subsample of countries

B's are controlled for:
- National net income per capita
- Individual demographic factors
- Individual socio-economics factors O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = -01 ns Additionally controlled for
- perceived social mobility
- 2000 income inequality after tax

Also insignificant for 2005 income inequality after tax

B's mean that market inequality does not affect happiness. O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = +.02 p < .10 Interaction with perceived social mobility in the nation: Individuals are the most happy in countries where social mobility is perceived to be high and income inequality before tax is also high.
Results for 2000 and 2005 are the same. O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = -.03 p < .10 Interaction with intergenerational income mobility: Individuals are the most happy in countries that combine:
- low income mobility and high income inequality
- high income mobilty and low income inequality O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = -.04 p < .01 2000 income inequality after tax O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = -.01 ns 2005 income inequality after tax

Results are stronger for a smaller subsample of countries O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = -.05 p < .01 Additionally controled for:
- perceived social mobility
- 2000 income inequality before tax O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = -.03 p < .10 Additionally controled for:
- perceived social mobility
- 2000 income inequality before tax

B's mean that a lower before tax income inequality goes with more happiness O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = +.01 ns The relation between perceived social mobility and happiness is not affected by income inequality after tax (final consumption inequality) O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a b = +.02 ns Interaction term of labour market mobility and final income inequality does not affect happiness.