Which index measures the average life satisfaction or well-being in a population?

Which index measures the average life satisfaction or well-being in a population?

• A. HDI
• B. Happiness Index
• C. MPI
• D. Passport Index

Answer: (B)

Every population’s average well-being is best captured by a measure that directly asks people about their happiness and life satisfaction. A Happiness Index does just that by collecting survey responses on how satisfied people feel about life and then averaging them across the population. This makes it a direct indicator of subjective well-being. In contrast, the HDI combines objective factors like life expectancy, education, and income, which show development levels but not how people actually feel about their lives. The Multidimensional Poverty Index focuses on deprivation in health, education, and living standards, not overall happiness. The Passport Index rates how easily people can travel, which isn’t about well-being. So the Happiness Index is the best fit for measuring average life satisfaction or well-being.

Every population’s average well-being is best captured by a measure that directly asks people about their happiness and life satisfaction. A Happiness Index does just that by collecting survey responses on how satisfied people feel about life and then averaging them across the population. This makes it a direct indicator of subjective well-being. In contrast, the HDI combines objective factors like life expectancy, education, and income, which show development levels but not how people actually feel about their lives. The Multidimensional Poverty Index focuses on deprivation in health, education, and living standards, not overall happiness. The Passport Index rates how easily people can travel, which isn’t about well-being. So the Happiness Index is the best fit for measuring average life satisfaction or well-being.