The sum of 1,254,052,648 kronor is difficult to grasp. To get some perspective, it can be spread out over time – if you work from the age of 20 to 65, the sum corresponds to a monthly salary of approximately 2.3 million kronor.
But what does life become like after such a win, really? Erik Lindqvist, professor of economics at the Institute for Social Research at Stockholm University, has conducted several studies that revolve around people who play and win the lottery.
He describes that there is a common perception that lottery winners cannot handle the money and that their mental health is negatively affected by the win. But that is not something he has seen in his own research.
The perception may partly have to do with media reporting, that the headlines become more enticing around individual cases where the money is squandered or where things go badly for other reasons. But perhaps one does not write about the undramatic cases where things go well, says Erik Lindqvist.
No signs of waste
And most cases are undramatic, according to Erik Lindqvist. In his research, there are no signs of waste, and the money is spent on average over a long period of time.
We see that people who win tend to reduce their working hours, but they do so over several years. It is not common for someone to immediately quit their job.
Generally, the feeling of being satisfied with life also increases after winning the lottery.
It seems to primarily depend on being satisfied with one's financial situation. And it is an effect that for many persists over a longer period of time.
Relationships are not affected
On the other hand, the studies have not shown any evidence that the win affects other aspects of life.
We cannot see that it affects relationships with friends or family, or one's attitude towards society at large.
Erik Lindqvist believes that people tend to think that they themselves are rational, while the people around them are not.
One can ask oneself, what would I have done if I had won that sum? Traveled around the world and spent it all on champagne? Probably not. Yet we think that others would do it.
