Analysis of the Relationship of Happiness to Economic Achievement and Other Factors in US States

Abstract

Overall emotional well-being, notably happiness, has been the subject of numerous studies in psychology, business, and other disciplines. In this study, happiness, aka life satisfaction, is measured by people’s own personal assessment of happiness, not measured by “how happy people ought to be” based on “well-being” measures such as income or community amenities. The top ten happiest states, in order, are Louisiana (happiest), Hawaii, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina, Alabama, and Maine. The ten unhappiest states, in order, are New York (unhappiest), Connecticut, New Jersey, Michigan, Indiana, California, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The findings indicate that happier states on average are significantly more religious and more politically conservative. Findings show that the happier states had a significantly lower per capita GDP; thus, money does not buy happiness. Businesses can facilitate happiness among employees, by supporting work-life balance of employees, being parent-friendly, being marriage-friendly, and enabling employees to integrate their spiritual values in their job roles.