S2:3 The Urban Happiness Gap: Are City Dwellers Destined to Be Less Happy?

About this episode

This episode explores the urban-rural happiness gap and discusses factors affecting happiness in city dwellers.

In this fun episode, we ask whether city life is secretly dragging down our happiness. More people than ever are living in cities, but does urban life come at the cost of happiness? Associate Professor Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen from the University of Southern Denmark shares insights from his research on Denmark’s urban–rural happiness gap. From the power of green spaces to the strength of local friendships, we explore why rural residents often report greater life satisfaction, and what city dwellers might do to catch up. Could a palm tree on your balcony make a difference? Tune in and find out. Link to the study: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384554929_Why_are_City_Residents_Less _Happy_than_the_Rest_of_the_Population_in_Developed_Countries_Studying_the_ Urban-Rural_Happiness_Gap_in_Denmark_Using_Blinder-Oaxaca_Decomposition Guest: Associate Professor Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen

People in this episode

Guest: Jens Fyhn Lykke Sørensen

Topics covered

• urban happiness
• city life
• rural happiness
• life satisfaction
• green spaces
• local friendships

Keywords

• urban happiness
• happiness gap
• city life
• rural residents
• life satisfaction
• green spaces
• local friendships

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Southern Denmark, Center for Wellbeing, Welfare and Happiness at the Stockholm School of Economics

Places: Denmark

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