There is evidence of a positive and well-determined effect of GDP per capita on individuals’
perceived well-being. An extra $1,000 in GDP per capita (in 1985 dollars) has systematic and non-negligible consequences 9 It can be shown that it raises the proportion of people in the top happiness category (“very satisfied” with their lives) by approximately 3.6 percentage points, which takes this category from 27.3% to 30.9%.10 It lowers the proportion in the bottom category