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Updated: May 22, 2026
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The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
China's life satisfaction, 1990-2010
Richard A Easterlin1, Robson Morgan, Malgorzata Switek
1Department of Economics, Un iversity of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0253, USA. easterl@usc.edu
Summary
Despite economic growth, China
Area of Science:
- Socioeconomic impacts of economic development
- Public health and well-being
Background:
- China has experienced unprecedented economic growth in output per capita over the last two decades.
- Despite this growth, life satisfaction trends in China mirror those of central and eastern European transition countries, showing a U-shaped pattern.
Observation:
- Life satisfaction in China mirrors a U-shaped pattern, similar to European transition economies.
- Despite a fourfold increase in per capita consumption, life satisfaction has not significantly improved.
- Trends correlate with rising unemployment, social safety net erosion, and increasing income inequality.
Findings:
- The U-shaped life satisfaction trend in China is linked to economic transition factors.
- Worsening life satisfaction disproportionately affects lower socioeconomic groups.
- Life satisfaction distribution has shifted from egalitarian to unequal, benefiting higher earners.
Implications:
- Economic growth alone does not guarantee improved life satisfaction.
- Policy interventions addressing unemployment, social welfare, and income inequality are crucial.
- Understanding socioeconomic impacts on well-being is vital for sustainable development.
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