绝对收入、相对收入与伊斯特林悖论:基于CGSS的实证研究

Absolute Income,Relative Income and Easterlin Paradox:Evidence from CGSS

利用CGSS数据,本文检验了中国收入与幸福感之间的关系。在考察了四种相对收入度量指标的特点之后,本文首选相对收入指标,并发现绝对收入和相对收入均对幸福感有显著正向影响;但对于低收入者而言,绝对收入对幸福感有显著的正向影响而相对收入无显著影响;对于高收入者而言,相对收入对幸福感有显著的正向影响而绝对收入无显著影响。究其原因,低收入者绝对收入的增加能改善其对家庭关系、人际关系和自身健康状况等方面的满意度,而高收入者则不能如此,但高收入者能通过相对收入的提高来改善其对自身居住社区的满意度。因此,在制定收入分配政策时,对于低收入者,我们需要提高其绝对收入水平;对于高收入者,我们在调节其收入时需要关注其相对收入水平的变化。

Using CGSS data,this study revisited the relation between the income and subjective well-being in China. After discussing the characteristics of four relative income measures,we use the relative income compared to reference group as the main indicator. Based on CGSS data,we find that not merely relative income but also absolute one has significant effect on subjective well-being. As for the lower-income group,the absolute income has positive,significant influence on the subjective well-being,while relative income has no significant effect. As for the higher-income group,the statuses of absolute income and relative income are reversed. The increased absolute income of lower-income earners can improve their satisfaction of family relationship,interpersonal relationship or health condition,while higher earners can enhance their relative income to improve the living satisfaction of their community. As for the income redistribution policy,we should enhance the absolute income of lower-income earner and pay attention to the relative income status of higher-income earner.