Measuring Quality of Life in Latin America: What Happiness Research Can (and Cannot) Contribute

45 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2011

See all articles by Carol Graham

Carol Graham

Brookings Institution - Center on Social and Economic Dynamics; University of Maryland

Date Written: November 2008

Abstract

This paper addresses the issues involved in taking a broader, quality of life-based approach rather than an income-based approach to assessing welfare. Te paper shows how a quality of life approach can help to evaluate the welfare effects of factors ranging from health, education, and unemployment to institutional arrangements such as inequality and opportunity. Nonetheless, directly inferring policy implications is problematic because norms and expectations influence the way in which individuals respond to surveys and the definition of happiness is unclear. The latter allows for research comparisons across individuals and cultures but presents challenges as a basis for policymaking.

Suggested Citation

Graham, Carol, Measuring Quality of Life in Latin America: What Happiness Research Can (and Cannot) Contribute (November 2008). IDB Working Paper No. 549, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1820937 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1820937

Carol Graham (Contact Author)

Brookings Institution - Center on Social and Economic Dynamics ( email )

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University of Maryland ( email )

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College Park, MD 20742
United States

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