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Viewpoint: Measuring and understanding subjective well-being

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  • John F. Helliwell
  • Christopher P. Barrington-Leigh

Abstract

Increasing attention is being paid in academic, policy, and public arenas to subjective measures of well-being. This promising trend represents a shift towards measuring positive outcomes in psychology and greater realism in the study of economic behaviour. We describe the main measures of subjective well-being (SWB) and provide examples of policy-relevant research findings, including new accountings of the differences in individual-level SWB assessments around the world and across Canada. These suggest a consistent pattern of life circumstances linked to SWB and highlight the importance of social factors whose role has otherwise been hard to quantify in income-equivalent terms.

Suggested Citation

  • John F. Helliwell & Christopher P. Barrington-Leigh, 2010. "Viewpoint: Measuring and understanding subjective well-being," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 43(3), pages 729-753, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:43:y:2010:i:3:p:729-753
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5982.2010.01592.x
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