| By: |
Zhang, Xin (Beijing Normal University);
Chen, Xi (Yale University);
Zhang, Xiaobo (Peking University) |
| Abstract: |
This paper studies the impact of six main air pollutants on three key
dimensions of subjective well-being (SWB) – life satisfaction, hedonic
happiness and mental health. We match a nationally representative survey in
China with local air quality and rich weather conditions according to the
exact date and county of each interview. By making use of variations in
exposures to air pollution across similar respondents living in the same
county, we find that PM2.5 reduces hedonic happiness and increases the rate of
depressive symptoms, but does not affect life satisfaction. Our results show
that the benefits of reducing air pollution would be higher if the hidden
costs of air pollution on SWB in China are taken into account. |
| Keywords: |
life satisfaction, hedonic happiness, depressive symptoms, air pollution, China |
| JEL: |
I31 Q51 Q53 |
| Date: |
2019–04 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12313&r=all |