Abstract
Does economic prosperity enhance the quality of human life? Across 101 nations, 32 indices were analyzed that reflect a representative sample of universal human values (e.g., happiness, social order, and social justice). Wealth correlated significantly with 26 of the 32 indices, indicating a higher QOL in wealthier nations. Only suicide and CO2 emissions were worse in wealthier societies. Basic physical needs were met early in economic development, whereas advanced scientific work occurred only when basic physical needs were fulfilled for almost all people in the society. Limitations of the conclusions are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Department of Economic and Social Development: 1992, 1991: Demographic Yearbook (United Nations, New York).
Department of Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis: 1993, Statistical Yearbook: 1990/1991 (United Nations, New York).
Diener, E.: 1996, ‘The cost and benefits of individualistic societies’, in preparation, University of Illinois.
Diener, E., M. Diener and C. Diener: 1995, ‘Factors predicting the subjective well-being of nations’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 69, pp. 851–864.
Diener, E., E. Sandvik, L. Seidlitz and M. Diener: 1993, ‘The relationship between income and subjective well-being: Relative or absolute?’, Social Indicators Research 28, pp. 195–223.
Dietz, T. and L. Kalof: 1992, ‘Environmentalism among nation-states’, Social Indicators Research 26, pp. 353–366.
Droge, C., R. Calantone, M. Agrawal and R. Mackoy: 1993, ‘The consumption culture and its critiques: A framework for analysis’, Journal of Macromarketing 13, pp. 32–45.
Gupta, D. K., A. J. Jongman and A. P. Schmid: 1994, Assessing country performance in the field of human rights. Paper presented at the 13th Int. Sociol. Ass. Congr., Bielefeld, Germany, 18 July.
Hoffman, M. S. (ed.): 1991, The World Almanac and Book of Facts: 1992 (Pharos Books, New York).
Maslow, A. H.: 1954, Motivation and Personality (Harper and Row, New York).
Schwartz, S. H.: 1992, ‘Universals in the content and structure of values: Theoretical advances and empirical tests in 20 countries’, in M. Zanna (ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology: Vol. 20 (Academic Press, Orlando, FL).
Schwartz, S. H.: 1994, ‘Beyond individualism-collectivism: New cultural dimensions of values’, in U. Kim, H. C. Triandis, C. Kagitcibasi, C. Choi and G. Yoon (eds.), Individualism and Collectivism: Theory, Method, and Applications (Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA), pp. 85–102.
Statistical Office of the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs; 1991, Compendium of Social Statistics and Indicators: 1988 (United Nations, New York).
Taylor, C. L. and D. A. Jodice: 1983, World Handbook of Political and Social Indicators, 3rd edn., Vol. 1: Cross-national Attributes and Rates of Change (Yale University Press, New Haven).
Triandis, H. C.: 1989, ‘The self and social behavior in differing cultural contexts’, Psychological Review 96, pp. 506–520.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development: 1993, Handbook of International Trade and Development Statistics (United Nations, New York).
van Dam, M., R. van Puijenbroek and P. Verschuren: 1989, ‘De centrum-periferie theorie’, Mens en Maatschappij 64, pp. 5–21.
Veenhoven, R.: 1993, Happiness in Nations (Risbo, Rotterdam).
Wachtel, P.L.: 1983, The Poverty of Affluence (The Free Press, New York).
World Bank: 1994, World Development Report 1994: Infrastructure for Development (Oxford University Press, Oxford, England).
Wright, J. W. (ed.): 1992, The Universal Almanac: 1993 (Andrews and McMeel, Kansas City).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Diener, E., Diener, C. The wealth of nations revisited: Income and quality of life. Soc Indic Res 36, 275–286 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01078817
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01078817