Happiness in Thai Population: A 2018 National Survey Analysis at Provincial Level

Abstract

Objective: To report the happiness index of the Thai population at provincial level, and to study the relationship between provincial socioeconomic factors and happiness.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was a part of the 2018 survey of sustainable quality of life with sufficiency economy principles by the National Statistical Office. Data were collected nationwide between April and June 2018. Thai respondents aged 15 years and over from 69,792 households were selected by using a stratified two-stage sampling method. Happiness was measured by using the 15-items self-rated Thai Happiness Indicators. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics with weighting. 

Results: The average happiness score of the Thai population was 31.32 out of 45. Approximately 61.3% of participants had of participants had scores in the standard level, while 20.1% had score higher than the standard level, and 18.6% had scores under the standard level. There were six provinces with higher than average household income and level of happiness. Thirty-nine provinces with low household incomes had higher than the average level of happiness, including the first two happiest provinces, i.e. Buriram and Phang Nga, respectively. Eleven provinces with high household incomes conversely reported a lower level of happiness than the average, including Samut Prakan, the least happy province. There were 21 provinces where both household income and happiness were lower than the national average.

Conclusion: Approximately 81.4% of the Thai population have standard or above level of happiness. Happiness of Thai people may result from the complex interplay between socioeconomic factors and components of mental well-being.