Happiness Disparities among Korean Children: With Special Reference to Subjective Well-Being Measures from the 2023 Comprehensive Survey on Children

Abstract

According to the Comprehensive Survey on Children, Korean children’s happiness levels have risen on average over the past 10 years. These life satisfaction scores, measured on a Cantril Ladder scale, rose from 6.10 in 2013 to 6.57 in 2018 and to 7.14 in 2023, which may be attributed to improved quality of life among Korean children. When results from other studies are put into perspective, however, such outcomes do not amount to sufficient evidence for ascertaining the extent to which Korean children’s happiness has improved over the period. What is clear, though, is that, as disparities persist in life satisfaction scores—despite their overall gains—across children from different socioeconomic backgrounds, efforts must continue, aimed at improving policy interventions. For effective policymaking, it is also crucial to continually monitor how post-COVID-19 changes in daily life patterns affect quality of life and happiness.