Key Finding
6. Choice and opportunity matter more to happiness than making a lot of money quickly.
Being free to choose the course of your life and experiencing the satisfaction that comes from pursuing new opportunities matter more than quickly making a lot of money. When it comes to happiness, the belief that hard work helps one get ahead is an important factor. Fast economic growth, on the other hand, does not necessarily lead to more happiness – statistically, higher rates of GDP growth are correlated with lower levels of wellbeing. Thus, while fast growing economies may improve societies, GDP growth pursued through narrow, top-down policies that do not take citizen wellbeing into account, may lead to a decrease in a nation’s prosperity.