Attention, assortment, affiliation

Whilst subjective wellbeing (SWB) is increasingly accepted as a valid and measurable policy outcome, three key issues need to be addressed. First, attention: SWB metrics should better reflect what individuals notice and experience in daily life. Second, assortment, or heterogeneity, demonstrating that the determinants of wellbeing vary significantly across individuals and contexts. Third, affiliation: to position social connection, particularly shared experiences, as a fundamental determinant of SWB. Taken together, these themes suggest a more nuanced and policy-relevant framework for wellbeing economics. Published in Journal of Wellbeing Economics (May 2026). Read full paper here.