Are people happier with larger green space? A study of greenness and happiness in urban China
Manxi Cheng
Abstract
Shreds of evidence from some developed countries have shown that green space has a significant positive effect on happiness, while few related studies have been done in developing countries. Based on panel data from Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics, this paper provides an empirical analysis of the impact of green space on Chinese urban residents’ happiness levels by using the ordered probit model. The results show that per capita greenness has a significant negative effect on urban residents’ happiness in China and the effect weakens and turns into positive as residents’ income levels increase. Meanwhile, the relationships can vary among people of different educational levels and from different areas.