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Revisiting the Energy-Happiness Paradox in China: The Role of Housing Outcomes

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Listed:
  • Haitao Du

    (South China Normal University
    University of Glasgow)

  • Bo Zhang

    (Guangzhou University
    Guangdong Provincial Center for Urban and Migration Studies)

Abstract

Environmental sustainability and enhanced human happiness are fundamentally a question of tradeoffs. Although energy consumption creates air pollution and leads to climate disruption, the role of household energy consumption in individual happiness is noteworthy. Using survey data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this work revisits the energy-happiness paradox hypothesis and, using multilevel analysis, elaborates on the role of housing outcomes in the energy-happiness nexus. Research results show that, in China, more energy consumption can lead to greater happiness. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the housing outcomes related to tenure, dwelling location, and multiple homeownership also impact the energy-happiness nexus. Therefore, improving individual happiness and reducing overall energy consumption requires that the government address the inequality in energy consumption between cohorts with different housing outcomes while also promoting energy efficiency. The findings here are valuable in devising and developing energy consumption policies aiming to achieve a balance between the positive and negative consequences of energy consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • Haitao Du & Bo Zhang, 2025. "Revisiting the Energy-Happiness Paradox in China: The Role of Housing Outcomes," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 1-28, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:26:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10902-025-00860-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-025-00860-0
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