The Happiness Equation: The Surprising Economics of Our Most Valuable Asset

Is there a scientific way to construct a happiness formula? Does an increase of income increase happiness? Can friendship have a price tag? Why is it that the things we believe will make us happy usually don’t, like children for example?

Everybody wants to be happy. But how much happiness will each life choice bring? Based on cutting-edge research, The Happiness Equation makes the new science of the economics of happiness accessible to the general reader. Controversial and counter to many of our long-held beliefs, this book shows that it is possible to quantify social and emotional experiences in monetary terms. It explores how price tags can be attached to what cannot be bought or sold in the market: marriage, friendship, or even death. It also explains why some things matter more to our happiness than others (like why seeing friends is worth more than a Ferrari), whilst others are worth almost nothing (like having children). And finally, it helps us understand how to achieve happiness. Nick Powdthavee writes in an accessible style that wears its learning lightly and is a joy to read.

‘An important, readable, incisive, and often marvellously funny book. The author is an international expert in the field and his deep knowledge shines through in the prose.’ Andrew J Oswald, University of Warwick