Life satisfaction

Subjective life satisfaction is a measure of an individual's perceived level of well-being and happiness.

It is frequently assessed in surveys, by asking individuals how satisfied they are with their own lives. It is sometimes used as a synonym for subjective happiness and subjective well-being, however questions tapping life satisfaction and happiness are slightly different, and well-being can be seen as a broader term.

The most commonly used question probing life satisfaction, as found in the World Values Survey is as follows:

"All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?"

Respondents are typically asked to respond on a scale of 1-10.

Life satisfaction was used as one of the three main components in the new economics foundation's (nef) Happy Planet Index, published in July 2006.