HAPPINESS IN LATIN AMERICA; SOME SOCIOECONOMIC DETERMINANTS

Objetive: To analyze the factors that influence happiness in Latin America specifically in Mexico, Peru and Colombia between 2010 and 2013. Methodology: A logistic-ordered model to explain the state of happiness reported by a sub-sample taken from the last wave of the World Value Survey for the studied countries was estimated. The variables considered for this study were sex, age, educational level, income, employment, health and marital status reported by the survey respondents. Results and conclusions: The results indicate that health status has a significant impact on levels of happiness reported as well as the marital status. However, and contrary to what the economic theory points, the income level was not meaningful in this area.