This paper examines the effects of happiness on income and income inequality. We postulate that happiness impacts upon the income generating capacity of individuals directly by stimulating work efficiency, and indirectly by affecting their allocation of time for paid work. These direct and indirect effects of happiness on income are tested in a regression model and the implication of these effects for income distribution is explored using an inequality decomposition framework. An empirical exercise based on Australian HILDA panel survey data (2001–2014) reveals that happiness has a positive and significant effect on income generation and contributes to the reduction of inequality.

本文考察了幸福对收入和收入不平等的影响。我们假设幸福通过刺激工作效率直接影响个人的创收能力，并通过影响他们对有偿工作的时间分配间接影响。幸福对收入的这些直接和间接影响在回归模型中进行了测试，并使用不平等分解框架探讨了这些影响对收入分配的影响。一项基于澳大利亚 HILDA 面板调查数据（2001-2014 年）的实证研究表明，幸福感对创收具有积极而显着的影响，并有助于减少不平等。