How is Happiness Measured?

Abstract

The article deals with the methodology of happiness measurement. Data from the European Social Survey, the European Value Survey and the World Happiness Index, that allow measuring the happiness level of the population and providing an opportunity to evaluate the situation of Lithuania in the context of other countries, are analysed. The discussion of research methodology highlights the main methodological differences applied in the above research. The comparative analysis shows that in Lithuania the happiness level remains the lowest among other European countries, although life satisfaction is growing. The conclusion is drawn that a low level of happiness can be determined not only by the economic level of the country or individual psychological conditions, but also by the cultural-social context of the country.