Healthy and happy in Europe? On the association between happiness and life expectancy over time.
This paper revisits the standard finding in individual-level studies that happiness leads to longevity. It does so in a cross-country time-series analysis in which the use of a random effects estimator controls for most relevant time-invariant factors. The findings suggest that happiness is negatively associated with longevity at the national level, and suggests a potential indirect transmission channel, as national happiness is negatively associated with public health expenditures. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of the results for public policy and future research.
Bjørnskov
Christian
C
Aarhus School of Business, University of Aarhus, Department of Economics, Prismet, Silkeborgvej 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. ChBj@asb.dk
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D006240:Happiness; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011603:Psychophysiology; D011640:Public Policy; D011788:Quality of Life