Costa rica Quote by Jeffrey D. Sachs
““Similarly, though the United States is one of the world’s richest economies by per capita income, it ranks only around seventeenth in reported life satisfaction. It is superseded not only by the likely candidates of Finland, Norway, and Sweden, which all rank above the United States but also by less likely candidates such as Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Indeed, one might surmise that it is health and longevity rather than income that give the biggest boost to reported life satisfaction. Since good health and longevity can be achieved at per capita income levels well below those of the United States, so too can life satisfaction. One marketing expert put it this way, with only slight exaggeration: Basic Survival goods are cheap, whereas narcissistic self-stimulation and social-display products are expensive. Living doesn’t cost much, but showing off does.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Age of Sustainable Development, 2015
Wealth alone does not guarantee happiness; health and longevity matter more, and basic needs are cheap while status goods are costly.
In simple terms: Health matters more than money for happiness.
Key Takeaway
Focus on health and simple living.
Themes
happiness
health
economics
consumerism
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
sociological
economic
When to use this quote
- public policy
- personal budgeting
- urban planning
- wellness programs
Key Concepts
well‑being
socio‑economic disparity
basic vs luxury goods
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies prioritize health over consumption?
- What simple changes boost life satisfaction?
A Different Perspective
High income societies may still face low satisfaction due to materialism.
