What Really Determine Happiness of Different Groups: Some Evidences from A Case Study in Bangkok

Sauwalak Kittiprapas
(Faculty of Economics, Rangsit University, Thailand)

Abstract: The case study aims to investigate happiness determinants of different groups of people in Bangkok, Thailand, by integrating Eastern Buddhist concept of inner happiness. The study utilizes more than 400 sample surveys for empirical tests of significant variables in happiness domains, i.e., health, education, economics (income, employment), relationship with family and friends, as well as inner happiness such as from mind development ( variables by giving & helping others, desire for materials, mindfulness practice, ans stress) on life satisfaction. The results show that happiness determinants vary among different groups of people such as those classified by income levels and employment statuses as well as among those in private sector and government officials, etc. Detailed analysis of happiness determinants of people in different socio-economic statuses are highlighted in this paper.

Empirical results find that health is an important factor across most groups, while income is significant for only some groups with relatively little effect among significant variables. The findings also present the important of giving/sharing affecting happiness. The results lead to a better understanding of happiness deterinants of different groups and contribute to a new finding confirming the importance of inner happiness; such as, the role of giving and helping people affect positively to happiness, as well as the desires for materials and stress having negative relationship to happiness for some groups. These findings are consistent with happiness in Buddhism approach that people may not necessary be happier from more material consumption or acquisition for themselves, but from lower want for themselves and giving to help other people as well as lower stress from unattachment to suffering. While giving is witnessed in the better-off economic status, stress reduction is significant particularly to some lower economic status such as the lowest income group and the unemployed. Generally, health is important with high impact on happiness for most groups, while income have less impact and significant for only some groups with economic insecurity. Education and family relationship are essential to happiness of many groups.

Key words: happiness economics; Buddhist economics; well-being; happiness determinants; happiness in Buddhism

JEL codes: O20, O53