Inequality and Life Satisfaction in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: The Role of Opportunity
Metadatos
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MDPI
Materia
Life satisfaction Subjective well being Income inequality Opportunity
Date
2019-05-15Referencia bibliográfica
García-Muñoz, T. M., Milgram-Baleix, J., & Odeh-Odeh, O. (2019). Inequality and Life Satisfaction in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: The Role of Opportunity. Societies, 9(2), 37.
Résumé
This study delves into the relationship between income inequality and subjective well-being
by gauging the role played by opportunities at the country level. Using data from the World
Value Survey, we estimate multilevel models to explain cross-country differences in individuals’ life
satisfaction. Opportunity and inequality exert a significant effect per se on life satisfaction, and their
joint effect explains the puzzling positive relationship between income inequality and life satisfaction
in low- and middle-income countries. Income inequalities reduce the well-being of individuals if
opportunities are low, but inequality is not relevant for life satisfaction if opportunities in the country
are high. Among the aspects of opportunity that really matter, we show that inclusiveness and access
to advanced education play a more major role than political freedom or personal rights. Results apply
for different social, income, and education groups.