The non-economic effect of education: an analysis of Italians subjective health and well-being

This article analyses the non-economic effect of education, such as perceived health and well-being, in terms of “happiness” and “life satisfaction”. In addition, we examine the role that employment status and earnings play in this relationship for Italians aged 25-68. The hypotheses are twofold. The first is that the level of education attained may affect the level of perceived happiness and life satisfaction. The second suggests that education's impact is influenced by one's position and earnings in the labour market. The link between education and occupational status (e.g., in/out on labour market) has direct implications for economic conditions, which affect subjective health and well-being. These non-economic effects of educations are explored using Italian data from the European Social Survey (ESS) for the years 2012; 2016; 2018; 2020 and through the Health Attainment model (Lucchini and Sarti, 2009). The goal is to identify the direct and indirect effects of education on subjective health and well-being, and whether economic conditions mediate these relationships. In line with the literature, Higher education leads to greater satisfaction with health, happiness and life satisfaction. These effects appear mediated by economic conditions (occupational status and earnings), which spill over directly into perceived health and on the development of one’s imaginary subjective well-being.