.

Many immigrants dream of improved lives in their adopted country, but the reality is not quite as majestic. While life in wealthier countries may be better, particularly when one’s financial situation is improved, immigrants often discover that their new life has not made them happier.

New research published in the Oxford Journal Migration Studies suggests that immigrants looking for a better economic situation are often unlikely to achieve greater happiness in their new country. Using data on 42,000 people from the European Social Survey, sociologist David Bartram from England’s University of Leicester explained how immigration to a wealthier country often resulted in a lower economic status for the immigrant, taking away from the immigrant’s overall happiness.

Happiness Defined

Before continuing further into the study, it would be important to take a step back and define happiness. In an article on Quartz, Bartram explained the means of defining happiness for the purpose of the study, “In economic terms, what matters for happiness is the way one compares oneself to others. If one’s income rises in line with the incomes of others, relative position does not change, and so happiness remains unchanged as well.” Bartram further explained, “Even when income rises significantly, leading to upward mobility, people often adjust their reference groups, comparing to others at a higher level rather than deriving satisfaction from comparing themselves to a stable reference group.”

The Outcomes

Bartram’s research examined immigrants moving from Eastern European countries, and compared them to those who remained in their homeland (stayers). Immigrants overall tended to be happier than stayers, but the analysis indicated that many immigrants were already happier before they immigrated. For most of the countries analyzed, the immigrants’ level of happiness varied little, but there were a few exceptions both positive and negative to this conclusion.

The experiences of the immigrants differed depending on their country of origin. Romania and Russia, for example, gained much more happiness post migration than any other immigrant group studied. This outcome is attributed to the fact that Romania and Russia have a much lower average of happiness among their citizens. For many of these immigrants, just the opportunity to live elsewhere seemed to increase their overall level of happiness.

Polish migrants, on the other hand, experienced a significant decrease in happiness when immigrating to Western Europe. The study shows that a high level of happiness already exists within Poland, similar to that of many Western European countries. A large gap appears when comparing the happiness levels of Polish immigrants and stayers, adding to the argument that immigrating to a wealthier country does not always increase happiness.

Roadblocks in the Pursuit of Happiness

Overall the study shows that immigrating to a wealthier country doesn’t necessarily increase one’s level of happiness, in fact on average it shows very little change. If this is true then the question arises; why don’t immigrants experience increased happiness? Bartram refers back to his definition of happiness, how people compare themselves to others, to explain the phenomenon.

Upon arriving in their newly adopted country, immigrants compare themselves to the stayers and instantly recognize and rejoice in their improved life. As time passes they start to compare themselves to the natives, and the realization hits that they are not as well off as those around them. Jobs and higher wages that seemed so attractive at first are now realized to be inferior to those of their neighbors. Slowly, many immigrants start to realize that their social status has dropped, and the once majestically high wages are in reality quite low after inflation has been added to the equation.

Other contributors arise as they continue to compare themselves to the natives; many immigrants lose happiness as they experience prejudices and discrimination from the native population. Many become frustrated when their experience and qualifications are not recognized within their adopted country, and they are forced to work jobs that they are over qualified to do, leaving many aspirations to be unsatisfied.

The root of unhappiness, it seems, stems from comparing yourself to those around you.

A factor worthy of consideration is the reason for international immigration: does the immigrant move seeking his own happiness, or does he do it to support his family? Immigration involves significant upheaval of one’s life, and the drawbacks are many. Adapting to new surroundings and culture, as well as the effects that immigration has on relationships, both old and new, can lead to a decrease in happiness. If one’s immigration is the result of an attempt to support loved ones, do the increased wages and better economy outweigh the drawbacks associated with family separation?

Upward Mobility

It is also interesting to note that just as immigrating to a wealthier nation does not necessarily increase happiness, neither does moving upward on the social ladder. Immigrants (as well as natives) who find that they are accepted, experience a significant increase of income, and are able to move to an increased social status, often do not experience the increase in happiness they expected either. Human nature is to compare yourself to those around you; an increase in social status often begins with an increased level of happiness as you continue to compare yourself to your previous counterparts, be it stayers or those of a lower social status. But as one accustoms himself to his new surroundings the bar for happiness is raised, and many don’t experience a long-term increase of happiness.

How do we Achieve Happiness?

Happiness, it seems, is an ever-changing idea that is hard to hold on to. It requires more than a simple status change or a wealthier nation. It appears that it really depends upon one’s priorities. Once people’s basic needs are secured, then happiness depends upon the consequences of the choices they make. A sacrifice now for a benefit later (such as higher education) is a choice that can have an important impact on the level of happiness, as can, consequently, the choice of a benefit now for a sacrifice later.

Perhaps happiness cannot be truly defined by comparing oneself to others as Bartram explained, surely there must be much more to it. If all people—immigrants, natives, and stayers—start to focus more on what they do have and less on what they do not, then an increase of happiness is sure to follow.

This article was originally published in the Diplomatic Courier's January/February 2014 print edition.

The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.

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Immigration and Happiness

January 28, 2014

Many immigrants dream of improved lives in their adopted country, but the reality is not quite as majestic. While life in wealthier countries may be better, particularly when one’s financial situation is improved, immigrants often discover that their new life has not made them happier.

New research published in the Oxford Journal Migration Studies suggests that immigrants looking for a better economic situation are often unlikely to achieve greater happiness in their new country. Using data on 42,000 people from the European Social Survey, sociologist David Bartram from England’s University of Leicester explained how immigration to a wealthier country often resulted in a lower economic status for the immigrant, taking away from the immigrant’s overall happiness.

Happiness Defined

Before continuing further into the study, it would be important to take a step back and define happiness. In an article on Quartz, Bartram explained the means of defining happiness for the purpose of the study, “In economic terms, what matters for happiness is the way one compares oneself to others. If one’s income rises in line with the incomes of others, relative position does not change, and so happiness remains unchanged as well.” Bartram further explained, “Even when income rises significantly, leading to upward mobility, people often adjust their reference groups, comparing to others at a higher level rather than deriving satisfaction from comparing themselves to a stable reference group.”

The Outcomes

Bartram’s research examined immigrants moving from Eastern European countries, and compared them to those who remained in their homeland (stayers). Immigrants overall tended to be happier than stayers, but the analysis indicated that many immigrants were already happier before they immigrated. For most of the countries analyzed, the immigrants’ level of happiness varied little, but there were a few exceptions both positive and negative to this conclusion.

The experiences of the immigrants differed depending on their country of origin. Romania and Russia, for example, gained much more happiness post migration than any other immigrant group studied. This outcome is attributed to the fact that Romania and Russia have a much lower average of happiness among their citizens. For many of these immigrants, just the opportunity to live elsewhere seemed to increase their overall level of happiness.

Polish migrants, on the other hand, experienced a significant decrease in happiness when immigrating to Western Europe. The study shows that a high level of happiness already exists within Poland, similar to that of many Western European countries. A large gap appears when comparing the happiness levels of Polish immigrants and stayers, adding to the argument that immigrating to a wealthier country does not always increase happiness.

Roadblocks in the Pursuit of Happiness

Overall the study shows that immigrating to a wealthier country doesn’t necessarily increase one’s level of happiness, in fact on average it shows very little change. If this is true then the question arises; why don’t immigrants experience increased happiness? Bartram refers back to his definition of happiness, how people compare themselves to others, to explain the phenomenon.

Upon arriving in their newly adopted country, immigrants compare themselves to the stayers and instantly recognize and rejoice in their improved life. As time passes they start to compare themselves to the natives, and the realization hits that they are not as well off as those around them. Jobs and higher wages that seemed so attractive at first are now realized to be inferior to those of their neighbors. Slowly, many immigrants start to realize that their social status has dropped, and the once majestically high wages are in reality quite low after inflation has been added to the equation.

Other contributors arise as they continue to compare themselves to the natives; many immigrants lose happiness as they experience prejudices and discrimination from the native population. Many become frustrated when their experience and qualifications are not recognized within their adopted country, and they are forced to work jobs that they are over qualified to do, leaving many aspirations to be unsatisfied.

The root of unhappiness, it seems, stems from comparing yourself to those around you.

A factor worthy of consideration is the reason for international immigration: does the immigrant move seeking his own happiness, or does he do it to support his family? Immigration involves significant upheaval of one’s life, and the drawbacks are many. Adapting to new surroundings and culture, as well as the effects that immigration has on relationships, both old and new, can lead to a decrease in happiness. If one’s immigration is the result of an attempt to support loved ones, do the increased wages and better economy outweigh the drawbacks associated with family separation?

Upward Mobility

It is also interesting to note that just as immigrating to a wealthier nation does not necessarily increase happiness, neither does moving upward on the social ladder. Immigrants (as well as natives) who find that they are accepted, experience a significant increase of income, and are able to move to an increased social status, often do not experience the increase in happiness they expected either. Human nature is to compare yourself to those around you; an increase in social status often begins with an increased level of happiness as you continue to compare yourself to your previous counterparts, be it stayers or those of a lower social status. But as one accustoms himself to his new surroundings the bar for happiness is raised, and many don’t experience a long-term increase of happiness.

How do we Achieve Happiness?

Happiness, it seems, is an ever-changing idea that is hard to hold on to. It requires more than a simple status change or a wealthier nation. It appears that it really depends upon one’s priorities. Once people’s basic needs are secured, then happiness depends upon the consequences of the choices they make. A sacrifice now for a benefit later (such as higher education) is a choice that can have an important impact on the level of happiness, as can, consequently, the choice of a benefit now for a sacrifice later.

Perhaps happiness cannot be truly defined by comparing oneself to others as Bartram explained, surely there must be much more to it. If all people—immigrants, natives, and stayers—start to focus more on what they do have and less on what they do not, then an increase of happiness is sure to follow.

This article was originally published in the Diplomatic Courier's January/February 2014 print edition.

The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.