Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/130569 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Citation: 
[Journal:] The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy [ISSN:] 1935-1682 [Volume:] 16 [Issue:] 1 [Publisher:] De Gruyter [Place:] Berlin [Year:] 2016 [Pages:] 125-149
Publisher: 
De Gruyter, Berlin
Abstract: 
This paper analyzes whether individuals have equal opportunity to achieve happiness (or well-being). We estimate sibling correlations and intergenerational correlations in self-reported life satisfaction, satisfaction with household income, job satisfaction, and satisfaction with health. We find high sibling correlations for all measures of well-being. The results suggest that family background explains, on average, between 30% and 60% of the inequality in permanent well-being. The influence is smaller when the siblings’ psychological and geographical distance from their parental home is larger. Results from intergenerational correlations suggest that parental characteristics are considerably less important than family and community factors.
Subjects: 
subjective well-being
family background
intergenerational mobility
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Additional Information: 
Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich. - This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
Document Type: 
Article
Document Version: 
Published Version

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