Well-being, Happiness and Why Relationships Matter: Evidence from Bangladesh |
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Authors: | Laura Camfield Kaneta Choudhury Joe Devine |
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Institution: | (1) Wellbeing in Developing Countries ESRC Research Group, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK |
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Abstract: | Although Bangladesh is known as one of the poorest and most densely populated countries in the world, qualitative research
and anecdotal evidence suggests its people report levels of happiness that are higher than those found in many other countries.
This includes ‘developed’ countries where people have larger per capita incomes and can access a wider range of public services
and goods. The paper explores this apparent paradox by analysing primary quantitative and qualitative data, and engaging with
existing literature on happiness and objective wellbeing in Bangladesh. The data and analysis presented makes an original
and timely contribution to the limited knowledge we have of the construction and experience of happiness and life satisfaction
in contexts of extreme and persistent economic poverty. It identifies and offers insights into the ‘personal’ as well as social
or ‘relational’ values and goals that people in Bangladesh consider important to achieve happiness in life. It also reflects
on how different people experience these values and goals in very different ways. This, we argue, leads to a better understanding
of the influence of the social and cultural context in the construction of people’s happiness. In the conclusion, we reflect
on the policy implications of our findings.
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Keywords: | Bangladesh Developing countries International Development Happiness Quality of Life Culture Poverty Relationships |
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