Publications Based on SOEP Data: SOEPlit

Reported subjective Well-Being: A Challenge for Economic Theory and Economic Policy

Does marriage make people happy, or do happy people get married?

Commuting and life satisfaction in Germany

Stress That Doesn't Pay: The Commuting Paradox

People spend a lot of time commuting and often find it a burden. According to standard economics, the burden of commuting is chosen when compensated either on the labor or on the housing market so that individuals' utility is equalized. However, in a direct test of this strong notion of equilibrium with panel data, we find that people with longer commuting time report systematically lower subjective ...

Gender, age and migration: an intersectional approach to inequalities in the labour market

This paper analyses the interference of three socio-demographic characteristics: gender, age and migration status on the labour market outcomes from the perspective of intersectionality theory. Concretely, we investigate whether gender and migration differences in hourly wages are observable at younger ages and whether these differences increase with age. Further, we analyse whether gender and migration ...

Human Capital and fertility in Germany after 1990: Evidence from a Multi-Spell Model

We analyze the timing of birth of the first three children based on German panel data (GSOEP) within a hazard rate framework. A random effects estimator is used to accommodate correlation across spells. We consider the role of human capital – approximated by a Mincer-type regression – and its gender-specific effects on postponement of parenthood and possible recuperation at higherorder births. An advantage ...

The Capability Perspective: Basic Features and their Relevance for Social Policy

Work, Subjective Well-being and Capabilities

Chapter 2: This chapter explores the link between poverty as capability deprivation and current life satisfaction. Using German panel data, I examine both whether capability deprivation does hurt and whether individuals eventually adapt. To detect capability deprivation I draw on the notion of an inadequate income together with nonconsumption data of specific commodities. Assumptions and conditions ...

Capability Deprivation and Life Satisfaction. Evidence from German Panel Data

This paper explores the link between poverty as capability deprivation and current life satisfaction. Using German panel data, I examine both whether capability deprivation reduces life satisfaction and whether individuals eventually adapt to these adverse conditions. Drawing on the capability approach, the constitutive elements of poverty are capability deprivations, which are located in the functioning ...

Towards a Multidimensional Poverty Index for Germany

This paper proposes a more comprehensive multidimensional poverty index for an advanced economy like Germany. Drawing on the capability approach as conceptual framework, I apply the Alkire–Foster method to the German context. Special attention is paid to the conceptual integration. Specifically, I argue for including material deprivation and employment as important dimensions, but against using an ...