Inequality of happiness in nations

Abstract

This reference book is about the degree to which people evaluate their life-as-a-whole positively, shortly called ‘happiness’ or ’life-satisfaction.’ It presents data on happiness in nations as assessed in survey studies. The data concern average level and dispersion of happiness and allow comparison between nations and through time. Average level happiness is an indicator of livability of a nation. Like physical and mental health, it denotes the degree to which people flourish in a society. Dispersion of happiness is an indicator of social inequality in nations. It covers 615 studies in 55 [sic] nations between 1945–1992 [sic]. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)