Since the dawn of time, humanity has been pondering one problem: "Can happiness really be bought with money?" Some firmly answer "no" to this question, while others firmly believe that "when there is more money, happiness will come on its own." Zamin.uz analyzes the golden balance between human psychology and material well-being based on research conducted by the world's most influential scientists and psychologists.
Years of research have shown that the relationship between money and happiness is more complex than we think. Below we present the most interesting scientific conclusions on this matter:
Is there a "happiness limit" to income?
In 2010, Nobel laureates Daniel Kahneman and Angus Diaton noted that when annual income reaches $75,000, a person's level of inner satisfaction stops. However, ten years later, Matthew Killingsworth, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, questioned this theory.
According to the results of the new study:
- For 80% of people, the higher their income, the greater their sense of happiness.
- For emotionally unstable people, this figure works up to $100,000 per year, after which the impact of money decreases.
- For those who are already satisfied with their lives, high income contributes to a faster increase in the feeling of happiness.
Need unlimited wealth? The magic of $10 million
Psychologists from Bath University, led by Paul Bain, conducted a survey in 33 countries around the world. Respondents were asked how much money they would be absolutely happy to win in the lottery.
Interestingly, it turned out that for 86 percent of participants, $10 million or less was enough for complete happiness. There are many people who are ready to be happy even with $1 million. This proves that human material needs are not limitless.
Why is money "bringing more happiness" now?
With the changing times, the dependence of happiness on material factors is increasing. According to Jean Twain, a psychologist at the University of San Diego, the main reason for this is social stratification in society.
- Income Gap: Today, the difference between the salaries of company managers and ordinary employees is more than 270 times.
- Marital status: According to statistics, more people with high incomes and education are starting families. Family is the most important foundation of happiness.
Maslow's pyramid and the role of money
According to the famous psychologist Abraham Maslow's theory, money only helps satisfy the needs at the bottom of the pyramid - such as food, security, and health. When these needs are closed, a person begins to strive for higher levels - respect, creativity, and spiritual maturity.
How much does it cost to live happily in Uzbekistan?
Scientists at Perdue University have calculated the "price of happiness" for the population of 160 countries. 2021:
Annual Happiness Needs ($)
- Bermuda - 143,933
- Switzerland - 128,969
- Uzbekistan - 21,960
- Kyrgyzstan - 8,997
- Suriname - 6,799
In conclusion, money is not happiness itself, but a convenient opportunity to achieve it. Do you think that in the conditions of Uzbekistan, earning about 22 thousand dollars a year (about 1830 dollars a month) can truly fully provide a sense of happiness?
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