Abstract

The goal of this study was to contribute to the development of the happiness index through testing a meaningful variable influencing the concept of happiness. To achieve the goal, variables potentially affecting happiness were tested in twenty-one Asian countries, including South Korea. To test which independent variable affected the dependent variable of happiness at a significant level when controlling for the other independent variables, multiple regression analysis was conducted. The outcome indicated that tax burden had a significant, positive effect on happiness. The results suggest that a developed or developing welfare system makes people happy by providing better welfare programs and services, thereby increasing the tax burden.