Ruut Veenhoven
Happy life-expectancy
Erasmus University Rotterdam|Utrecht University
one aims social indicator research develop comprehensive measure qualityoflife nations analogous gnp economic indicator research purpose several multi dimensional indexes proposed addition economic performance also acknowledge nations success matters like schooling social equality current indicator type human development index approach qol measured input degree society provides conditions deemed beneficial presumed qol basic problem one never knows extent cherished provisions really good people alternative measuring qol nations output consider well people actually flourish country apparent qol measured degree citizens live long happily conception operationalized combining registration based estimates lengthoflife survey data subjective appreciationoflife lifeexpectancy years multiplied average happiness 01 scale product named happy lifeexpectancy hle interpreted number years average citizen country lives happily certain time hle assessed 48 nations early 1990s appears highest northwest european nations 60 lowest africa 35 hle scores systematically higher nations affluent free educated tolerant together countrycharacteristics explain 70 statistical variance hle yet hle significantly related unemployment state welfare income equality religiousness trust institutions hle differ either military dominance population pressure conclusion hle qualifies envisioned comprehensive social indicator clear substantive meaning happy lifeyears theoretical significance ultimate output measure hle differentiates well correlations fit assumptions required input also challenge indicator likely political appeal