Distributional Findings on Happiness by measure type and by year in the general public of South Africa (ZA)

2-step verbal happiness (111A)

Typical text:

Are you happy with your life?
- yes
- no

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 2) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-HP-g-sq-v-2-d 2003 1.60 0.49 Average 1.60 0.49

4-step verbal Happiness (111C)

Typical text:

Taking all things together, would you say you are?:
- very happy
- quite happy
- not very happy
- not at all happy
very = 4 ......not at all = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 4) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 1981 2.91 0.85 6.60 2.42 O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 1990 2.82 0.90 6.30 2.57 O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 1995 3.02 0.89 6.83 2.50 O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 2001 3.12 0.85 7.10 2.36 O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 2007 3.15 0.90 7.17 2.48 O-HL-c-sq-v-4-f 2007 3.06 0.82 6.66 2.27 O-HL-c-sq-v-4-f 2008 2.89 0.92 6.22 2.56 O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 2013 3.10 0.89 7.06 2.46 Average 3.01 0.88 6.74 2.45

5-step verbal Happiness (111D)

Typical text:

How happy do you feel as you live now?
- very happy
- somewhat happy
- neither happy nor unhappy
- not very happy
- not happy at all
very happy = 5 .... Not happy at all = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 5) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-HL-c-sq-v-5-a 1983 3.51 1.26 5.98 2.72 O-HL-c-sq-v-5-g 1983 3.50 1.26 5.80 2.53 O-HL-c-sq-v-5-a 1988 O-HL-c-sq-v-5-g 1988 3.65 1.15 6.13 2.33 O-HL-c-sq-v-5-g 1994 4.14 0.94 7.18 2.04 O-HL-c-sq-v-5-g 1995 3.35 1.19 5.57 2.35 O-HL-c-sq-v-5-g 1996 3.41 1.19 5.70 2.39 O-HL-c-sq-v-5-g 1999 3.26 1.40 5.36 2.84 O-HL-c-sq-v-5-g 2002 3.05 1.17 4.99 2.28 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2003 3.30 1.20 5.51 2.63 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2004 2.75 1.17 4.38 2.92 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2006 3.45 1.05 5.84 2.29 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2006 3.42 1.05 5.79 2.30 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2007 3.45 1.08 5.86 2.36 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2008 3.25 1.09 5.43 2.39 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2009 3.29 1.10 5.50 2.41 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2010 3.40 1.05 5.76 2.28 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2012 3.35 1.27 5.64 2.77 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2013 3.60 1.13 6.17 2.49 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2014 3.50 1.21 5.97 2.65 O-HL-u-sq-v-5-d 2015 3.58 1.15 6.14 2.51 Average 3.41 1.15 5.73 2.47

7-step verbal Happiness (111F)

Typical text:

Considering your life as a whole, would you describe it as
- very unhappy
- unhappy
- mixed
- happy
- very happy
very happy = 7 .... very unhappy = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 7) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-HL-g-sq-v-7-a 2012 4.97 1.60 6.82 3.04 Average 4.97 1.60 6.82 3.04

5-step verbal LifeSatisfaction (121D)

Typical text:

Overall, how satisfied are you with your present life?
- very satisfied
- fairly satisfied
- neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
- fairly dissatisfied
- very dissatisfied
very satisfied = 5 ..... very dissatisfied = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 5) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-SLW-u-sq-v-5-d 1983 3.47 1.24 6.23 2.19 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-g 1983 3.46 1.25 6.81 2.84 O-SLW-u-sq-v-5-d 1988 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-g 1988 3.47 1.13 6.77 2.65 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-g 1994 3.99 1.03 7.79 2.23 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-g 1995 3.07 1.19 5.78 2.84 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-g 1999 3.07 1.42 5.85 3.16 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-g 2002 2.97 1.24 5.60 2.88 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2003 3.06 1.24 5.77 2.99 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-g 2004 2.89 1.20 5.44 2.83 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2004 3.09 1.20 5.22 3.00 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2004 3.18 1.18 6.08 2.89 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2005 3.03 1.19 5.66 2.89 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2005 3.16 1.11 5.98 2.76 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2006 3.07 1.18 5.76 2.88 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2007 3.28 1.09 6.31 2.72 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2008 3.17 1.11 6.03 2.78 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2008 3.27 1.13 6.30 2.78 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2010 3.48 1.00 6.76 2.51 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2012 3.23 1.19 6.20 2.90 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2013 3.07 1.22 5.78 2.95 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2014 3.26 1.23 6.24 2.93 O-SLW-c-sq-v-5-fd 2015 3.23 1.19 6.21 2.91 Average 3.23 1.18 6.12 2.80

10-step numeral LifeSatisfaction (122F)

Typical text:

All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as-a-whole now?
10 satisfied
.: .
1 dissatisfied

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a 1981 6.30 2.41 5.89 2.68 O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a 1990 6.21 2.91 5.79 3.24 O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a 1996 5.59 2.79 5.10 3.10 O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a 2001 5.81 2.72 5.35 3.03 O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a 2007 7.02 2.40 6.69 2.67 O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-j 2008 5.43 2.45 4.92 2.72 * O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-I 2013 6.63 2.31 6.25 2.57 Average 6.14 2.57 5.71 2.86

11-step numeral LifeSatisfaction (122G)

Typical text:

All things considered, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your life as-a-whole these days?
10 very satisfied
:
0 not satisfied

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-SLu-g-sq-n-11-c 2002 5.80 3.11 5.80 3.11 O-SLu-g-sq-n-11-d 2002 6.80 3.11 5.80 3.11 O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-a 2007 6.31 1.93 6.31 1.93 O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-a 2008 4.95 2.71 4.95 2.71 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-b 2009 5.92 2.49 5.92 2.49 * O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-a 2010 5.75 2.31 5.75 2.31 * O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-a 2012 5.76 2.51 5.76 2.51 Average 5.90 2.59 5.76 2.59

11-step life-satisfaction plus imputation of missing cases (19G)

Typical text:

All things considered, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your life as-a-whole these days?
10 very satisfied
:
0 not satisfied
Missing cases of average life-satisfaction in nations estimated on the basis of a combination of observed components of happiness in that nation:
1) Afffective component, measured using responses to multiple questions about yesterday's affective experience, from which an affect balance score was computed
2) Cognitive component, measured using responses to single question on Best-Worst possible life
Computation explained in EHERO Working Paper 2021-3 https://www.eur.nl/en/ehero/media/2021-03-ehero-workingpaper2021-3 How to complete the ranklist of happiness in nations

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2006 6.15 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2007 6.18 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2008 5.90 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2009 5.99 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2010 5.84 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2011 6.06 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2012 6.28 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2013 5.28 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2014 5.96 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2015 6.06 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2016 5.98 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2017 5.78 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2018 6.17 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2019 6.29 Average 5.99

10-item Affect Balance Scale (Bradburn) (222)

Typical text:

During the past few weeks did you ever feel (yes/no)
- particularly excited or interested in something?
- so restless that you couldn't sit long in a chair?
- proud because someone complimented you on something you had done?
- very lonely or remote from other people?
- pleased about having accomplished something?
- bored?
- on top of the world?
- depressed?
- that things were going your way?
- upset because someone criticized you?

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-5 - 5) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-BB-cm-mq-v-2-a 1981 1.82 6.82 A-BB-cm-mq-v-2-a 1990 1.20 2.61 6.20 2.61 Average 1.51 2.61 6.51 2.61

More days like yesterday (24A)

Typical text:

Do you want more days like yesterday?
- yes
- no
% yes

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AOL-yd-sq-v-2-a 2007 67.00 Average 67.00

6 item yesterday Affect Balance (24D)

Typical text:

Did you feel yesterday.. (yes/no)?
- enjoyment
- worry
- sadness
- anger
- depression
- did you smile and laugh a lot

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-100 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb 2008 56.66 7.83 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb 2009 49.66 7.48 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb 2010 67.00 8.35 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb 2011 53.29 7.66 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb 2012 58.32 7.92 Average 56.98 7.85

10 item Yesterday Affect Balance (24E)

Typical text:

Did you feel yesterday (yes/no)
- well-rested
- treated with respect
- smile and laugh a lot
- learn or do something interesting
- enjoyment
- physical pain
- worry
- sadness
- stress
- anger

Rated:
0: no
1: yes

Computation: (A+B+C+D+E) - (F+G+H+I+J)

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-100 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2006 49.00 7.50 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2007 48.00 7.40 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2008 50.00 7.50 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2009 46.00 7.30 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2010 62.00 8.10 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2011 49.00 7.50 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2012 55.00 7.80 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2014 47.00 7.35 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2015 54.00 7.70 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2016 43.00 7.15 Average 50.30 7.53

11 item Yesterday's Affect Balance (24F)

Typical text:

Did you feel yesterday.. (yes/no)?
- well rested
- worried
- proud
- depressed
- ...etc
Computation: % positive affect minus % negative affect

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-100 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-o 2007 50.00 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-o 2008 52.00 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-o 2012 56.27 Average 52.76

14-item Yesterday's Affect Balance (24G)

Typical text:

Did you feel yesterday.. (yes/no)?
- well rested
- worried
- proud
- depressed
- ...etc
Computation: % positive affect minus % negative affect

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-100 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-b 2007 47.00 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-b 2008 50.00 Average 48.50

11-step numeral Best-Worst possible Life (32D)

Typical text:

Suppose the top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder the worst possible life. Where on this ladder do you feel you personally stand at the present time?
- 10
- .
- .
- 0

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2002 5.24 2.57 5.24 2.57 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2006 5.08 2.14 5.08 2.14 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2007 5.50 2.51 5.50 2.51 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2007 5.20 1.75 5.20 1.75 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2008 5.35 1.80 5.35 1.80 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2009 5.22 2.22 5.22 2.22 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2010 4.65 1.89 4.65 1.89 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2011 4.93 1.85 4.93 1.85 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2012 5.43 5.43 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2012 5.13 2.18 5.13 2.18 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2013 3.66 1.96 3.66 1.96 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2014 4.83 2.05 4.83 2.05 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2015 4.89 1.99 4.89 1.99 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2016 4.77 2.78 4.77 2.78 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2017 4.51 2.42 4.51 2.42 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2018 4.88 2.71 4.88 2.71 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2019 5.03 3.17 5.03 3.17 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2020 4.95 4.95 Average 4.96 2.25 4.96 2.25

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Typical text:

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-100 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2006 57.97 7.90 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2007 52.52 7.63 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-j 2011 0.58 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-ab 2013 57.00 7.85 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2013 60.60 8.03 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2014 55.43 7.77 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2015 62.00 8.10 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2016 48.44 7.42 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2017 51.66 7.58 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2018 52.95 7.65 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2019 53.21 7.66 Average