Does less working time improve life satisfaction? Evidence from European Social Survey

Area of Science:

• Socioeconomic impacts of work-life balance
• European social well-being research
• Health economics and life satisfaction

Background:

• Worktime significantly influences life satisfaction and well-being.
• Previous studies suggest a link between working hours and life satisfaction.
• The European context and health's mediating role require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To confirm the relationship between working time and life satisfaction in Europe.
• To explore additional drivers of life satisfaction, including social factors and digitalization.
• To examine the mediating effect of health status on worktime-satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Ordered probit model applied to European Social Survey (ESS) data (Wave 10).
• Analysis of working time impact on life satisfaction.
• Testing hypotheses on health mediation, social inclusion, trust, safety, and digitalization.

Main Results:

• A significant negative correlation exists between work hours and life satisfaction.
• Health status is a crucial mediator in the worktime-life satisfaction relationship.
• Middle-class individuals and private sector employees show a preference for shorter hours for higher satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Decreasing working hours enhances life satisfaction across Europe.
• Health acts as a key mediator, linking reduced worktime to increased well-being.
• Social inclusion, trust, safety, and digitalization also contribute to life satisfaction, with private sector workers benefiting most from reduced hours.