ETERMINANTS OF HAPPINESS IN TURKIYE: FINDINGS FROM THE 2024 LIFE SATISFACTION SURVEY

Öz

Since the mid-twentieth century, the growing influence of behavioral economics has given rise to the emergence of the “economics of happiness” as a distinct research field within the economics literature. This strand of research departs from hypothetical and normative approaches by employing empirical analyses based on survey data and increasingly emphasizes the relevance of non-income determinants of subjective well-being. Against this background, the present study empirically investigates the factors influencing individual happiness in Turkiye, with a particular focus on determinants beyond income. Using data from the 2024 Life Satisfaction Survey, the analysis is conducted through a generalized ordered logistic regression method. The results indicate that, alongside socio-demographic and economic characteristics, satisfaction with public services, socially and individually valued persons and norms, future expectations, and perceptions of security have significant effects on individuals’ happiness levels in Turkiye. These findings suggest that policies aimed at improving the quality of public services, strengthening social support structures, and fostering optimistic future expectations may play a crucial role in enhancing happiness in Turkiye.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Economics of Happiness
• Determinants of Happiness
• Happiness in Türkiye
• Generalized Ordered Logistic Regression Method

TÜRKİYE’DE MUTLULUĞUN BELİRLEYİCİLERİ: 2024 YAŞAM MEMNUNİYETİ ARAŞTIRMASI’NDAN BULGULAR

Öz

Yirminci yüzyılın ortalarından itibaren, davranışsal yaklaşımların etkisiyle, iktisat literatüründe “mutluluk ekonomisi” adı altında yeni bir araştırma alanı ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu alanda, bireylerin mutluluğu varsayımsal ya da normatif yaklaşımlar yerine, anket verilerine dayalı ampirik yöntemlerle incelenmeye başlanmış ve bu süreçte, mutluluk üzerinde gelir dışı etkenlerin önemi giderek artmıştır. Bu çalışmada da gelirin ötesindeki belirleyicilere odaklanılarak, Türkiye’de bireylerin mutluluğunu etkileyen faktörler ampirik olarak araştırılmıştır. Bu amaç için 2024 Yaşam Memnuniyeti Araştırması’nın verileri genelleştirilmiş sıralı lojistik regresyon yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmanın sonucunda, sosyo-demografik ve ekonomik özelliklerin yanı sıra, kamu hizmetlerine duyulan memnuniyet düzeyi, toplumsal ve bireysel düzeyde önem verilen kişiler ve değerler, geleceğe dair beklentiler ile güvenlik algısının da Türkiye’de bireylerin mutluluk düzeyleri üzerinde etkili olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Bulgular doğrultusunda, Türkiye’de bireylerin mutluluğunu artırmaya yönelik olarak, kamu hizmetlerinin kalitesini artıran, sosyal destek sistemlerini güçlendiren ve geleceğe dair olumlu beklentiler oluşturmayı hedefleyen çeşitli politika önerilerinde bulunabilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mutluluk Ekonomisi
• Mutluluğun Belirleyicileri
• Türkiye’de Mutluluk
• Genelleştirilmiş Sıralı Lojistik Regresyon Yöntemi

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