Recent studies focused on testing the Easterlin hypothesis (happiness and national income correlate in the cross-section but not over time) on a global level. We make a case for testing the Easterlin hypothesis at the country level where individual panel data allow exploiting important...

This paper examines regional differences in subjective well-being (SWB) in Germany. Inferential statistics indicate a diminishing but still significant gap between East and West Germany, but also differing levels of SWB within both parts. The observed regional pattern of life satisfaction...

Across the globe there is growing skepticism about the usefulness of GDP as a measure of national well-being. Consequently, several alternative quality-of-life (QOL) measures were developed which either aim at healing the GDP, complementing it, or replacing it. This chapter portrays some of...

Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass sich Lebenszufriedenheit messen lässt, dass es objektive und veränderbare Gründe für mehr oder weniger glückliche Menschenleben gibt. Das ist eine sensationelle Nachricht, die Folgen haben muss in den Ministerien und im Parlament in Berlin, in...