Subjective Wellbeing Inequality Between Cohabiting Partners: Does a Household Kuznets Curve Exist?

Abstract

This study unpacks the question of subjective wellbeing (SWB) inequality between partners in South Africa in the context of declining overall SWB inequality. The analysis, using the National Income Dynamics Study panel for the period 2012–2016, reveals through the decomposition of Theil inequality indices that the reduction in overall SWB inequality has been on the back of reducing inter-household inequality, while intra household inequality between partners has in fact increased in the period of study. The zero-inflated beta regression as well as Oaxaca Blinder decomposition provides evidence of the existence of an intra-household SWB Kuznets curve. The relationship between SWB inequality and household income that emerges from this analysis shows that the reliance on improving household level variables like household income and access to public amenities is not sufficient in reducing intra-household SWB inequality. Further, education based positive assortative mating is found to reduce SWB inequality between partners lending credence to the argument that power dynamics plays an important role in determining the SWB distribution within the household. The findings of the study points to the need to focus on intra-household power dynamics to reduce the SWB gap between partners.