Life satisfaction along the urban-rural continuum

This paper assesses differences in life satisfaction along the urban-rural continuum 111 countries across all world regions. It combines survey data with a consistent definition of settlements to maximise international comparability. Globally, once controlled for individual characteristics, cities is slightly higher than rural areas, although difference decreases development levels and disappears high-income countries. Among factors associated such are city-rural gaps reported health problems, physical infrastructure (built-up area), expectations future economic conditions, as well perceived housing affordability. Finally, we show that also varies by city size. large between one five million inhabitants drive observed city-premium but stark heterogeneity exists income levels. Residents metropolises over report highest lowest low- high- countries, respectively.