The Asia Barometer Survey of 2,000 respondents reveals that substantial majorities of the Chinese people experience feelings
of happiness, enjoyment, and accomplishment. In fact, the proportion experiencing these indicators of a high quality of life
are larger in China than in some more prosperous countries. Favorable historical comparison, sustained high economic growth,
satisfaction with interpersonal life, and a high percentage of married people are among the explanations for China’s prevalence
of subjective well-being. The Chinese people’s high levels of satisfaction with their interpersonal, material, and nonmaterial
life domains, their positive assessments of their relative living standards, and their high rate of marriage are three direct
positive influences on subjective well-being. Value priorities and other demographic characteristics also have indirect bearings
on subjective well-being in China.