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Life satisfication in Malawi and the importance of relative consumption, polygamy and religion

Davies, Simon; Hinks, Timothy

Authors

Simon Davies



Abstract

Happiness equations for Malawi are estimated using a new household survey. It is apparent that absolute consumption level is strongly associated with satisfaction. Both objective and subjective relative consumption in the neighbourhood is positively associated with satisfaction. Male satisfaction is associated strongly with relative consumption but female satisfaction is not. Separated or widowed females are less happy than males indicating a vulnerability that acts as a disincentive to leave husbands during marital problems. Polygamous females in traditional religions are less satisfied than other females whilst there is some evidence that male Muslims in polygamous relationships are more satisfied. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Citation

Davies, S., & Hinks, T. (2008). Life satisfication in Malawi and the importance of relative consumption, polygamy and religion. Journal of International Development, 20(7), 888-904. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.1470

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Dec 1, 2008
Deposit Date Nov 15, 2010
Journal Journal of International Development
Print ISSN 0954-1748
Electronic ISSN 1099-1328
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 20
Issue 7
Pages 888-904
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.1470
Keywords Malawi, Africa, life satisfaction, relative consumption, religion, polygamy, gender
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1008455
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jid.1470