The Determinants of the Perception of Happiness About Quality of Life Amongst Turkish People

Happiness and life satisfaction are two empirically correlated but conceptually different determinants of quality of life. It has been theorized that happiness is an effective construct, whereas life satisfaction is a cognitive one. According to the recent literature, substantial levels of similarities are found among the determinants of satisfaction and happiness with life as a whole from satisfaction of various specific domains (such as family and health). Using the Life Satisfaction 2006 Study: Household and Individual by the Turkish Statistical Institute we examine the determinants of happiness among Turkish people. We estimate an ordered probit model and our results suggest that higher income and having a job are two crucial determinants of happiness. Male and married people are happier than singles and females. Less educated people are happier than university educated people. If we exclude Easterling paradox, the findings of this paper confirm that there is not a big difference between developing and developed countries when it comes to determinants of happiness.