
But we do figure more prominently in a fascinating study focused on the 'unhappiness of nations' by David Blanchflower. What is especially interesting is his finding that happiness and life satisfaction are powerful predictors of migration flows (with a measurably separate influence from unemployment and GDP per capita indicators). By and large, emigration is highest from unhappy countries (controlling for different economic circumstances), and immigration is highest into happy countries. Needless to say, Ireland has become something of a 'happy magnet' for unhappy migrants in recent years.
What we don't know for sure is whether the experience of migrating to Ireland actually raises the subjective wellbeing of the migrant - something that would have to be tracked over time probably. However, research my own company has done does show that the vast majority of immigrants to Ireland are happy with their experience of moving here, and most intend to stay. That's certainly one proxy indicator of the hedonic benefits of migration.
NICE Blog :)
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