Happiness is not far from us

Instead of comparing oneself to others, we must develop self-esteem and feel grateful for what we have.

YOON SEOK-MANThe author is an editorial writer of the JoongAng Ilbo. Richard Easterlin is known as “the father of happiness economics.” In his book “An Economist’s Lessons on Happiness,” he cited material wealth, health, and social relationship, including family, as three elements of happiness.

Unlike other elements, once wealth reaches a certain level, it does not enhance the level of happiness. The marginal utility of happiness from material possession continues to decline and eventually converges to zero. This is called the Easterlin paradox.

The per capita GDP of Korea grew 480 times from $67 in 1953 to $32,142 in 2023. But happiness did not grow nearly as much. The United Nations “World Happiness Index” ranking fell to 59th in 2022 from 56th in 2012, when the survey started.

Korea’s suicide rate has been the top among the OECD members for more than 20 years. While the suicide rate is on the decline among those over the age of 30, the suicide rate of teens and 20-year-olds is rising. The number of patients in their 20s suffering from depression and anxiety has also surged from 130,000 between 2017 and 2021 to 280,000 in 2022.

On the surface, Korea is one of the top 10 largest economies and home to the K-culture that the world raves over. But individual citizens often feel they are unhappy. Koreans are pushed into fierce competition from an early age and easily feel a sense of defeat from accumulated frustrations. Comparison with others lowers their self-esteem. Once a person succeeds, they tend to show off and abuse their influence. It is a typical case of the “high tension” society with routine pressure and stress.

The recent surge in random crimes is also related to the trend. 33-year-old Jo Seon, who killed a passer-by and injured many others in Seoul, said he wanted to make others unhappy, while 24-year-old Jung Yoo-jung, who brutally murdered a woman and abandoned her body, said she was the most pitiful person in the world.

Monsters are born from high pressure societies. Since birth, the entire country is swirling toward prestigious universities, respected careers, and good apartments, but in reality the majority fall behind in the competition. A sense of relative deprivation deepens when people seek refuge on social media filled with luxury goods and lavish spending.

The most urgent thing is to resolve social polarization. But a change in individual consciousness is also necessary. German poet Carl Busse wrote, “Over the mountains, far to travel, people say, Happiness dwells. Alas, and I went in the crowd of the others, and returned with a tear-stained face.” Just like that, happiness is not far from us.

Instead of comparing oneself to others, we must develop self-esteem and feel grateful for what we have. John Stewart Mill said that the secret of happiness lies in living one’s own life with independent decisions instead of being swept up by the standardized goals set by the rest of the world.