Current Issues Note 35: Well-being in London - Measurement and Use

London is the driving-force of the UK economy accounting for over one fifth of GDP. Londoners enjoy the highest median incomes and report better health than other parts of the country. Nonetheless surveys of subjective happiness/well-being suggest that Londoners are not as happy as those living elsewhere in the UK. This is an important message for policy makers.

Well-being is a growing area of interest as social scientists recognise the limitations of using GDP alone as a barometer of 'how society is doing'.

Current Issues Note 35 examines the concept of well-being and how it can be measured with particular reference to London, as well as exploring potential policy uses for well-being analysis.