THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INCOME AND HAPPINESS İN COVID-19 PERİOD: ASSESSMENT OVER ISPARTA PROVINCE

Abstract

Nowadays, happiness is becoming one of the most basic indicators of economic development. Based on this, happiness studies within the scope of behavioral economics are increasing day by day. In particular, along with the Easterlin paradox, it is emphasized that happiness is not only related to income level, there are other determinants of happiness. Based on the literature, it is possible to group the determinants of happiness as socio-economic factors, economic factors and environmental and institutional factors. In addition, for the last three years, the world has been faced with the COVID-19 epidemic, which significantly affects the happiness level of individuals. Based on this, the current study aims to evaluate whether is there a relationship between socio-economic factors, environmental and institutional factors, and economic factors and happiness during the COVID-19 . In order to obtain data a survey method was applied. 432 people living in Isparta Province constitute the sample of the study. The datas were analyzed using the Chi-Square Test. According to the analysis results;a significant relation is found between socio-economic factors such as gender, age, marital status, education level and happiness level during COVID-19. Also significant relatinship is found between economic factors such as working status, income earned, interruption from work during COVID-19 and meeting basic needs and level of happiness during COVID-19. Lastly significant relationship was found between happiness and institutional factors such as trust in the Ministry of Health and the level of adequacy of public services.