Study links wealth levels to life satisfaction in Germany

A new study conducted as part of the SKL Happiness Atlas examines the relationship between income, wealth, and life satisfaction among Germans. The research, led by economists Bernd Raffelhüschen and Timon Renz, surveyed approximately 3,290 individuals between the ages of 18 and 71 through the opinion research institute Ipsos.

The findings indicate that possessing wealth significantly impacts perceived happiness. Specifically, individuals with household assets exceeding 50,000 euros reported a life satisfaction score of 7.23 on a 10-point scale. In contrast, those without such financial reserves reported a lower satisfaction score of 6.34. The full Happiness Atlas is scheduled for release in November 2026.