Mapping Perceived Happiness Alongside the Rural-Urban Continuum☆

Abstract Inconsistent circumstances, driven by global monetary crisis and counterurbanization, create without doubt a scientifically intriguing period, especially through the lens of urban or rural dwellers’ happiness. The main aim of this paper is to advocate a rural-urban continuum of happiness through modern methodological tools. The study sets out to determine the most suitab le and appropriate, on policy grounds, definition of happiness. In so doing, it acknowledges the importance of the transformations of happiness according to different socioeconomic conditions alongside the urban-rural continuum. The importance for this research stems from the current debate for a more suitable and alternative index, compared to the Gross Domestic Product, which can actually reflect the progress of a society in a more pervas ive manner. The study applies content analys is and multivariate statistics in a large scale database of empirical data, undertaken from January 2013 to March 2013 from the Prefecture of Thessaloniki; calculate statistical indicators and quantification of the spatial and inequal distribution of happiness between rural and urban areas.