• Survey Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1-38
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• 2006

This study was conducted to develop a happiness index for Korean. 16 factors of happiness derived from both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis based on a nationwide sample of 1503 Korean adults were reclassified into 3 components of Alderfer's need theory. The LISREL was used to measure the weight of each happiness factor. The results showed that happiness index was functioned by a formula(Happiness=2.5*existence+2.5*relationship+5*growth). Applying this formula, the average happiness score for Korean was 57.71. It was also demonstrated that the degree of happiness differed according to individual's gender, region, and income. Men was happier than women, while there was no significant difference among ages. As far as the region concerned, those who live in Seoul and Daejeon were happier than the others. People who earn over 2,500,000 won per month were happier than the others in terms of economic status. Finally, the result of the discriminant function analysis revealed that individual or psychological growth factor was more important than existence and relationship factors. Based on these significant research findings, practical implications and future research directions were discussed.