Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/311953 
Year of Publication: 
2024
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 17514
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Using 20 years of nationally representative panel data in South Korea, we estimate how life satisfaction responds to income shocks. We document that unexpected income changes significantly impact an individual's life satisfaction, and the magnitudes depend on the persistence of income shocks. We find that permanent income shocks substantially penetrate life satisfaction, while transitory income shocks have minimal impact. We also find that life satisfaction regarding external factors such as family income and leisure activities is more sensitive to income shocks than life satisfaction related to social relationships. Our findings imply that it is critical for the government to address persistent income losses in the economy (e.g., long-term unemployment driven by skill-biased technological changes or work-limiting disability) as a means to improving social welfare.
Subjects: 
life satisfaction
insurance
income shocks
KLIPS
JEL: 
D31
D60
I31
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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