Introduction to Catalog of  Happiness in Nations
Abstract chapter 8

USES OF THE DATA COLLECTION
What does this dataset serve for? First of all for establishing whether it is of any worth itself. We need the dataset to investigate the validity of happiness as an indicator of livability. Because happiness appeared to be a good measure of livability, the data-collection can be used for charting livability. It allows comparison between nations and across time.
The data-collection helps to identify determinants of livability in an inductive way. As such it will complete current deductive speculation. The dataset will also help to identify consequences of good or bad livability
The data-collection provides not only information about level of happiness in nations, but also about its dispersion. As such it allows a new view on inequality in nations.