Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/177010 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 11206
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We use the 2015-2016 waves of the UK Household Longitudinal Study (Understanding Society) to look at subjective wellbeing around the time of the June 2016 EU membership Referendum in the UK (Brexit). We find that those reporting a preference for leaving the EU were 0.14 points less satisfied with life pre-referendum, with both misery (life satisfaction below 5) and job uncertainty significantly predicting the preference for a Leave vote. Post-referendum, those with leave preferences enjoyed a life satisfaction rise of 0.16 points, while there was a drop of 0.15 points for those preferring to remain. The initial positive subjective wellbeing effect of the Brexit vote was particularly pronounced for male and older respondents who reported a preference for leaving the EU. However, adaptation to the Brexit result appears to be complete three months after the EU Referendum date, both for those who preferred continued EU membership and those who did not.
Subjects: 
life satisfaction
Brexit
United Kingdom
democracy
JEL: 
I14
I30
I31
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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