New research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science shows that awareness of economic disparity affects happiness, meaning, harmony and spiritual well-being.
A comprehensive new study examining data from 71 countries suggests that perceiving high levels of economic inequality significantly undermines individual well-being across multiple dimensions of human flourishing. The research provides crucial insights into how awareness of economic disparity affects not just happiness, but also people's sense of meaning, harmony, and spirituality.
Led by researcher Dr. Ángel Sánchez-Rodríguez of the Universidad de Salamanca, the study addresses a critical gap in understanding the relationship between economic inequality and well-being by focusing on perceived rather than just objective measures of inequality. The findings demonstrate that when people are aware of significant economic disparities in their society, it negatively affects their overall well-being and widens the gap between how they currently feel and how they aspire to feel.
"This study helps us understand that the high levels of economic inequality found in many countries are not only a matter of social justice—although they certainly are—but also a pressing issue of public well-being," explains Dr. Sánchez-Rodríguez. "Our findings show that perceiving high levels of economic inequality is associated with lower well-being."
The research stands out for its culturally sensitive approach to measuring well-being, extending beyond traditional happiness metrics to include meaning in life, harmony, and spirituality—dimensions that may be particularly important in non-Western cultures. This comprehensive approach shows that perceived inequality affects multiple aspects of human flourishing, not just emotional satisfaction.
"The more economic inequality people perceive around them, the lower their overall well-being," Dr. Sánchez-Rodríguez summarizes as the study's most significant finding.
The timing of this research is particularly relevant given current global challenges. "Our research speaks to how individuals react to one of the most urgent global challenges: the widening gap between the rich and the poor," notes Dr. Sánchez-Rodríguez. "This issue has been acknowledged by international organizations such as the United Nations, which identifies reducing inequality as a key goal for building a more sustainable and just society."
However, the researchers caution against misinterpreting their findings as suggesting that simply reducing awareness of inequality is a solution. "A major misunderstanding would be to assume that reducing perceptions of inequality—rather than addressing inequality itself—is a viable strategy to improve well-being," warns Dr. Sánchez-Rodríguez. "Objective economic inequality, which reflects the actual disparities in living conditions, is the root issue."
The study's implications extend beyond academic research, offering evidence that economic inequality represents not just a policy challenge but a fundamental threat to human well-being across cultures and economic contexts.
