More UK Citizens Have Positive than Negative Everyday Encounters

According to a survey conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), about 85% of UK citizens encounter more positive than negative encounters on a daily basis. The other countries included in the OECD survey showed an average of 80%. This is a good message to Britain that life has become better from the previous year.

Better income, happier people

According to research, there is a direct correlation between better income and the people’s happiness index. After years of thorough study, it turned out that the strongest link between human well-being is found on economic growth and improved living condition. Apparently, the United Kingdom has reached the peak of this spot, thus resulting to much better daily experiences in life.

Two economists, Eugenio Proto of Warwick University and Aldo Rustichini of the University of Minnesota said people are more satisfied with their lives when their take home salaries provide them not just the basic needs but secondary necessities as well. If their money can buy more goods and better options for services and amenities, people begin to regard their everyday living with more positive outlook. The two experts further said that the measuring index that determines better satisfaction is when income is adjusted at $36,000 or £22,000 every year, for each person. In the UK, the ideal per capita income is generally based on $37,000. Accordingly, this income rate marks the satisfaction level of most people and that a higher point would bring in more wealth but less joy and contentment.

Surprising result

A surprising result came out from the surveys, according to Proto. The outcome reveals that life satisfaction goes down when people reach a certain point of wealth. The tendency is reflected in the aspiration level of people living in wealthier nations. Further, higher levels of GDP is reached as countries become richer, leading to higher aspirations. People aspire to have more, liking the when they see opportunity and wealth around them, pretty like a sense of keeping up with the Joneses.

Satisfaction gap

The economists also disclosed that there is a difference between the real income and the target income that people want to have. This is said to cause an increasing dissatisfaction level because people’s aspirations become unsteady. Therefore, in wealthier countries, as a person goes up the economic ladder, his wants and needs become increasingly modified. His priorities begin to level up as well such that he finds less joy anymore in the present things that used to satisfy him. This results in a significant dip in happiness.

More factors

There is also a theory that belies the relationship of higher income and happiness among people. In the UK, another survey conducted showed that 95% of the participants claim to be living happily in their respective communities. They said that they feel secure knowing there is someone who can help them when they are in need. This percentage is higher than the 90% findings of the OECD survey, an indication that aside from financial stability, the sense of community security is another top factor that contributes to individual happiness.

Photo Credit: British Pounds