921 research outputs found
The U-shape of happiness in Scotland
We examine well-being in Scotland using micro data from the Scottish Health Survey and the UK Annual Population Surveys. We find evidence of a midlife nadir or zenith in Scotland in well-being at around age 50 using a variety of measures of both happiness and unhappiness. We confirm that higher consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with higher levels of happiness in Scotland. We compare this with evidence for England from the Health Survey of England. The decline in well-being between youth and midlife is comparable in size to the loss of a spouse or of a job and around half of the fall in well-being in the COVID-19 lockdown. We also find a midlife peak in suicides in Scotland. Despite higher mortality and suicide rates in Scotland than in England, paradoxically we find that the Scots are happier than the English. Northern Ireland is the happiest of the four home countries. We also find evidence of U-shapes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the mid to late forties
Self-employment in an equilibrium model of the labor market
Self-employed workers account for between 8% and 30% of participants in the labor markets of OECD countries, Blanch ower (2004). This paper develops and estimates a general equilibrium model of the labor market that accounts for this sizable proportion. The model incorporates self-employed workers, some of whom hire paid employees in the market. Employment rates and earnings distributions are determined endogenously and are estimated to match their empirical counterparts. The model is estimated using the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). The model is able to estimate nonpecuniary amenities associated with employment in di erent labor market states, accounting for both different employment dynamics within state and the misreporting of earnings by self-employed workers. Structural parameter estimates are then used to assess the impact of an increase in the generosity of unemployment benefits on the aggregate employment rate. Findings suggest that modeling the self-employed, some of whom hire paid employees implies that small increases in unemployment benefits leads to an expansion in aggregate employment
Decomposing the misery index: A dynamic approach
YesThe misery index (the unweighted sum of unemployment and inflation
rates) was probably the first attempt to develop a single statistic to measure the level
of a population’s economic malaise. In this letter, we develop a dynamic approach to
decompose the misery index using two basic relations of modern macroeconomics:
the expectations-augmented Phillips curve and Okun’s law. Our reformulation of the
misery index is closer in spirit to Okun’s idea. However, we are able to offer an improved
version of the index, mainly based on output and unemployment. Specifically,
this new Okun’s index measures the level of economic discomfort as a function of
three key factors: (1) the misery index in the previous period; (2) the output gap in
growth rate terms; and (3) cyclical unemployment. This dynamic approach differs
substantially from the standard one utilised to develop the misery index, and allow
us to obtain an index with five main interesting features: (1) it focuses on output,
unemployment and inflation; (2) it considers only objective variables; (3) it allows
a distinction
between short-run and long-run phenomena; (4) it places more
importance
on output and unemployment rather than inflation; and (5) it weights
recessions
more than expansions
Who settles for less? Subjective dispositions, objective circumstances, and housing satisfaction
In recent years there has been growing interest in individuals’ self-perceptions of their wellbeing on the grounds that these complement well-established objective indicators of welfare. However, individuals’ assessments depend on both objective circumstances and subjective, idiosyncratic dispositions, such as aspirations and expectations. We add to the literature by formulating a modelling strategy that uncovers how these subjective dispositions differ across socio-demographic groups. This is then tested using housing satisfaction data from a large-scale household panel survey from Australia. We find that there are significant differences in the way in which individuals with different characteristics rate the same objective reality. For instance, male, older, migrant, and Indigenous individuals rate equal housing conditions more favourably than female, younger, Australian-born, and non-Indigenous individuals. These findings have important implications for how self-reported housing satisfaction, and wellbeing data in general, are to be used to inform evidence-based policy
Changes to Cigarette Packaging Influence US Consumers’ Choices: Results of Two Discrete-Choice Experiments to Inform Regulation
Introduction
While plain packaging of tobacco products has emerged as a policy
intervention to reduce smoking, regulators in the US have limited ability to
implement plain packaging. We sought to identify the impact of subtle changes
to cigarette packaging (Study 1) and how packaging design influenced participant
choices based on appeal, harm, and style (Study 2).
Methods
We conducted two discrete-choice experiments with US adult smokers
online in 2018. In Study 1 (n=285), we assessed participants’ selections based on
subtle changes to pack design features (dimensions, color saturation, logo size).
In Study 2 (n=284), we assessed three choices in which participants selected
packs based on appeal, harmfulness, and best match to their personal style. Study
2 packs varied by color hue, design with different levels of organic labeling and
natural imagery, and color saturation.
Results
Pack designs influenced smokers’ choices. In Study 1, pack dimensions and
color saturation emerged as the most important features, and, in Study 2, design
and color hue were the most influential characteristics.
Conclusions
Regulators should consider how the design of cigarette packages may
influence consumers’ perceptions and choices
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