“Within countries, per capita GDP growth does not appear to lead to corresponding increases in well-being.”
I spent a bunch of time looking into this ‘Easterlin paradox’ and concluded it’s more likely than not that it doesn’t exist. If you look across all the countries we have data on up to the present day, increased income is indeed correlated with increased levels of SWB. Not all things are positional or absolute, it’s just a mix.
My impression is that people who study this topic are divided on the correct interpretation of the data, so you should take everyone’s views (including mine) with a pinch of salt.
“Within countries, per capita GDP growth does not appear to lead to corresponding increases in well-being.”
I spent a bunch of time looking into this ‘Easterlin paradox’ and concluded it’s more likely than not that it doesn’t exist. If you look across all the countries we have data on up to the present day, increased income is indeed correlated with increased levels of SWB. Not all things are positional or absolute, it’s just a mix.
My impression is that people who study this topic are divided on the correct interpretation of the data, so you should take everyone’s views (including mine) with a pinch of salt.