Aims of research by Ruut Veenhoven

The goal is to provide an evidence base for creating greater happiness for a greater number of people, on the basis of which better informed choices can be made.

Private choice on happiness:
Gather information about effects of major life-choices of individuals on their happiness, such as having children, buying one's house or leaving the country. How did these choices affect happiness of what kinds of people?

Public choice on happiness
Gather information about effect of public choices on average happiness in the population in countries, such as raising the pension age or subsidizing child care. How did these policies work out on the happiness of what kinds of citizens?

This information is mainly gathered using an online findings archive, the World Database of Happines