We analyze data on happiness for Argentina and Uruguay. The focus is put on
self-reported health status as a key aspect in increasing happiness levels. Then,
the probabilty of being happy is estimated by probit models.
Results show that the main relationship is between happiness and health
status. Whether this is a causal effect or a correlation, is not clear. This issue is
explored using matching methods, finding that a good health status increases
the probability of being happy between 31 and 46 percentage points in Uruguay,
15 and 27 in Argentina; and 17 and 27 for the region.
Gerstenbluth, M. (2016). Happiness and health: An approximation to well-being in the Rio de la Plata. Estudios De Economía, 35(1), pp. 65–78. Retrieved from https://estudiosdeeconomia.uchile.cl/index.php/EDE/article/view/40237
