Assessing the effects of haze pollution on subjective well-being based on Chinese General Social Survey

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2019-10, Vol.235, p.574-582
• Main Authors: Song, Yan, Zhou, Aina, Zhang, Ming, Wang, Hui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chinese general social survey; Economic growth; Haze pollution; Subjective well-being
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.07.021

The transition from “develop for economy” to “develop for subjective well-being” requires to clarify the connection among economy, pollution and happiness. It is of great significance to improve the quality of social development. In this paper, we analyze the effects of haze pollution on subjective well-being using the method of ordered probit model, based on the Chinese General Social Survey of 2015. It is found that subjective well-being is positively correlated with haze pollution. Heterogeneity among different groups is observed. People who live in provinces with heavy haze pollution and with high income enjoy greater happiness. The transmission mechanisms of haze pollution on subjective well-being mainly exist in areas where air quality is not up to the standard. On the one hand, the economic growth improves residents' subjective well-being, although it is at the expense of haze pollution. Moreover, haze pollution raises a variety of troubles, including harming people's physical and mental health, which offset the growth of subjective well-being stemming from economic growth. This possibly explain why the subjective well-being of Chinese has not improved simultaneously with the development of economy.