Hong Kong's happiness indices: What they tell us about LIFE?

A series of surveys conducted in Hong Kong since 2005 shows a decline and then a recovery in the happiness index. A series of regression analysis suggests that the recent rise in the happiness index that began ahead of the financial tsunami and continued uninterrupted by the crisis possibly reflected a change in values and attitudes. It was further suggested that the positive or negative feelings associated with any activity may be affected by past events and expectations about the future and may not be intrinsic to the activity. Moreover, one's happiness appears to relate more to emotional than intellectual development, as suggested in indicators on Love, Insight, Fortitude, and Engagement (LIFE). Females appear to have higher scores on all LIFE scores, while one's life goals as well as LIFE scores tend to change as one ages.

► Happiness surveys in Hong Kong from 2005-2009 show that people's goals and values change through life.
► A new set of instruments comprising Love, Insight, Fortitude, and Engagement are found to correlate with Happiness strongly.
► Scores on Love, Insight, and Fortitude are found to rise with age, while that on Engagement declines.
► Tertiary education was found not to have contributed to LIFE scores nor happiness.