Correlational findings | World Database of Happiness

Study Easterlin & Angelescu McVey (2009): study ZZ World samples 1981

Public: 18+ aged, general public, World samples, 1981-2004
Survey name: INT-WVS: combined waves
Sample
Respondents: N = 195
Non Response
Assessment: Interview: face-to-face

Correlate

Authors's Label

Per capita GDP

Our Classification

Operationalization

Gross domestic product per capita (absolute scale).

Observed Relation with Happiness

Happiness Measure

Statistics

Elaboration / Remarks

O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a

Ra² = .45

The relation is curvilinear, diminishing returns, see Fig.1.

When log GDP is used instead of GDP the result is a linear relationship:
Each doubling of GDP is associated with a constant increase in life satisfaction.