Unhappiness and crime: Evidence from South Africa

Type Journal Article - Economica
Title Unhappiness and crime: Evidence from South Africa
Author(s)
Volume 72
Issue 287
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2005
Page numbers 531-547
URL http://econpapers.repec.org/article/blaeconom/v_3a72_3ay_3a2005_3ai_3a3_3ap_3a531-547.htm
Abstract
This paper is the first of its kind to study quality of life responses of crime victims. Using cross-sectional data from the OHS97 survey of South Africa, it is shown that victims report significantly lower well-being than the non-victims, ceteris paribus. Happiness is lower for non-victimized respondents currently living in higher crime areas. However, some evidence is found that criminal victimization hurts, but hurts less if regional crime rate on our reference group is high.

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