Proto, E. and Oswald, A. J. (2017) National happiness and genetic distance. Economic Journal, 127(604), pp. 2127-2152. (doi: 10.1111/ecoj.12383)
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Abstract
This article studies a famous unsolved puzzle in quantitative social science. Why do some nations report such high levels of mental well‐being? Denmark, for instance, regularly tops the league table of rich countries’ happiness; Britain and the US enter further down; some nations do unexpectedly poorly. The explanation for the long‐observed ranking – one that holds after adjustment for GDP and other socioeconomic variables – is currently unknown. Using data on 131 countries, the article cautiously explores a new approach. It documents three forms of evidence consistent with the hypothesis that some nations may have a genetic advantage in well‐being.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Proto, Professor Eugenio |
| Authors: | Proto, E., and Oswald, A. J. |
| College/School: | College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Economics |
| Journal Name: | Economic Journal |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
| ISSN: | 0013-0133 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1468-0297 |
| Published Online: | 03 April 2017 |
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