The Asymmetric Effects of Macroeconomic Performance on Happiness: Evidence for the EU

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Series Details Vol.52, No.3, May-June 2017
Publication Date May 2017
ISSN 0020-5346
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This Intereconomics article is available for free at this page after an embargo period of two years. Reading it before then is possible via SpringerLink.

Further information about Intereconomics

Intereconomics publishes papers dealing with economic and social policy issues in or affecting Europe. The journal consists of the sections Editorial, Forum, Articles, and Letter from America.

The Editorial contains brief comments on current questions of economic policy.

In the Forum, several authors (researchers, politicians, representatives of trade unions and of employers associations, etc.) voice their opinions on one particular current economic policy problem.

The Articles deal with economic policy issues and trends. They are mostly written by economic researchers.

In the Letter from America, an economist from the US provides analysis of economic issues of transatlantic interest.

Intereconomics has a streamlined editorial process which allows it to quickly publish timely papers while they can still inform and influence policy makers. The editorial board of Intereconomics works in close cooperation with the editorial board of its sister publication Wirtschaftsdienst – Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik, which is published in German.An analysis of data from the Eurobarometer finds evidence of the asymmetric effects of macroeconomic performance on happiness. The evidence reveals that the negative effect of an economic recession on happiness can be at least twice the positive effect of economic growth. In short, a single year of recession can undo the happiness gains from years of economic growth. Moreover, while this evidence focuses on a short-run asymmetry, it nonetheless supports the Easterlin paradox of a nil relationship between macroeconomic performance and happiness.

The evidence indicates that stable rather than rapid economic growth is a more sensible target for policymakers, because macroeconomic stability can lead to conditions that allow the pursuit of happiness and thus secure greater well-being.

Source Link http://archive.intereconomics.eu/year/2017/3/the-asymmetric-effects-of-macroeconomic-performance-on-happiness-evidence-for-the-eu/
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Intereconomics: Archive http://archive.intereconomics.eu/years/
SpringerLink: Intereconomics http://link.springer.com/journal/10272

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