Happiness and Satisfaction Patterns in Slovakia: A Comparative Analysis of Regional Well-Being

Purpose: This study examines happiness and life satisfaction in Slovakia, focusing on socio-economic factors, health, age, and regional disparities. Methodology/Approach: Health and mental well-being are the strongest predictors of happiness. Urban areas, like Bratislava, show varied happiness due to the "urban paradox," while rural regions, such as Prešov, benefit from stronger community ties. Suburban areas report surprisingly low happiness levels. Findings: Cross-sectional data limits the study’s ability to track changes over time. Future research should investigate longitudinal trends and regional interventions. Research Limitation/Implication: Cross-sectional data limits the study’s ability to track changes over time. Future research should investigate longitudinal trends and regional interventions. Originality/Value of paper: This study provides new insights into happiness and life satisfaction in Slovakia, linking regional and settlement-level differences to policy recommendations for equitable well-being.