The Origins of Happiness - by Andrew Clark & Sarah Flèche & Richard Layard & Nattavudh Powdthavee & George Ward (Paperback)

About the Book

Drawing on a range of evidence using large-scale data from various countries, the authors consider the key factors that affect human well-being, including income, education, employment, family conflict, health, childcare, and crime.

Book Synopsis

A new perspective on life satisfaction and well-being over the life course

What makes people happy? The Origins of Happiness seeks to revolutionize how we think about human priorities and to promote public policy changes that are based on what really matters to people. Drawing on a range of evidence using large-scale data from various countries, the authors consider the key factors that affect human well-being, including income, education, employment, family conflict, health, childcare, and crime. The Origins of Happiness offers a groundbreaking new vision for how we might become more healthy, happy, and whole.

Review Quotes

"The Origins of Happiness is a wonderful book. It presents a new look at what causes human well-being, and carefully analyzes the policies and programs that can enhance it."--Ed Diener, coauthor of Happiness

"If policymakers want to improve lives, it is important to understand how people feel--and why. This book charts new territory, providing the first map of the long-term drivers of people's happiness."--Martine Durand, chief statistician, OECD

"Rooted in the best-available evidence for each stage in life, The Origins of Happiness provides an ambitious and comprehensive analysis of what leads to a satisfying life, from childhood to old age."--Alan Krueger, Princeton University

"This work is a must-read for the academic, policymaker, and informed citizen alike."--Carol Graham, author of Happiness for All?

About the Author

Andrew E. Clark is at the Paris School of Economics. Sarah Flèche is at the Aix-Marseille School of Economics. Richard Layard is at the London School of Economics. Nattavudh Powdthavee is at Warwick Business School. George Ward is at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.