The hypothesis is a sensible prediction that is based on the results of the income-SWBrelationship (Easterlin (1974), Powdthavee (2010), Stevenson and Wolfers (2008)). At leastat the individual level, higher income is associated with higher SWB. Hence, total individualconsumption, should have a similar effect on SWB. After all, consumption is the realization ofthe choice opportunities that are granted by income.