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The National Assembly Futures Institute publishes reports that predict and analyze the changes in the future environment based on a comprehensive perspective, and derive mid- to long-term national development strategies in consideration of the preferences of the citizens
Research Based on “Measurement of Koreans’ Happiness Level”

Date : 2019-12-31 item : Research Report 19-06 P.I : NAFI

Research Based on “Measurement of Koreans’ Happiness Level”

Korea is one of the major countries with a low happiness level in comparison to its high economic status. In order to improve the happiness level of the pubic, it is absolutely necessary to accumulate empirical data on the systematic and comprehensive measurement of happiness of the public, and the investigation of happiness factors. As such, there should be a tool that can be used for a long period of time to measure happiness and related variables.

Regardless, due to the comprehensive and general nature of happiness, the executive branch and government-funded research institutes could not collect official data on happiness. Thus, in order to collect high-quality data to improve the role of the National Assembly on improving the happiness level of the public, the National Assembly Futures Institute conducted “Research based on Korea Quality of Life Survey” in 2018 and “Research based on Measurement of Koreans’ Happiness Level” in 2019.

This research aims to develop a measurement tool that not only satisfies international standards but also takes into account the characteristics of Korean society, based on the findings of research over the past two years. Furthermore, the research aims to identify the Koreans’ happiness level in global terms and present an in-depth understanding of happiness of the Korean people. First, the research presents the concept of happiness and the need for measurement, and then reviews the domestic and international existing related research and measurement tools for happiness, and those also from international organizations such as the OECD Better Life Index.

Afterwards, along with expert advice, a structuralized survey with 88 items to measure the happiness level of Koreans was developed. The survey can not only directly measure the multilevel aspects of happiness, but also investigate the multifaceted and multilevel predictors of happiness.

Based on the findings of the research, it is planned to annually collect high quality happiness-related data from the Korean public at the national level. The happiness level of the public is an index that shows the current status of the society that can be used as evidence to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of national policies. Also, the data may contribute to lawmaking activities of the National Assembly to secure a happy future for the public.