The Economist, using OECD and Gallup data, concludes that there is only a loose correlation between inequality and happiness (see chart below).
But are there better correlates?
Using the information from The Economist and Human Development Index (HDI) information from the United Nations, I have compiled a different view of the picture of well-being. the first table shows The Economist‘s data with the addition of HDI information for 2010 and the second table indicates the correlation between the various indicators.
In my opinion, this data has two primary implications:
1) While GINI may not closely correlate with the overall since of well-being for a population, it does seem to reflect the disparity between the happiest and least happy in society somewhat better.
2) A country’s commitment to societal betterment as reflected by the HDI seems to impact the happiness of the least happy in a significant way.
Jake
Tyler
