The Relationship between Religious Restrictions, Life Satisfaction and Economic Growth

In recent years، the impact of non-economic incentives such as life satisfaction and beliefs of community has been examined on economic behavior، such as growth and per capita income. The purpose of this study is to identify the correlation between life satisfaction index and per capita income with the intensity of religious beliefs. To this end، 2SLS estimator and cross-sectional data in 88 countries in 2010 were used. The results showed that the index of per capita income has a significant positive impact on life satisfaction. Also higher religious restrictions in communities were associated with less life satisfaction، and this shows government involvement in religious beliefs and consequently loss of life satisfaction. In addition، investment، government expenditure and trade variables have a positive and significant relationship with per capita income. Also، life satisfaction has a significant and positive effect on per capita income. Based on the used data in this study، there is a mutual relationship between life satisfaction and percapita income.