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Does primary and secondary education contribute to environmental degradation? evidence from the EKC framework

Author

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  • Zacharias Bragoudakis

    (Bank of Greece)

  • Emmanouil Taxiarchis Gazilas

    (University of Piraeus)

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of education on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis using a balanced panel dataset of 167 countries over 21 years. By employing three econometric models with COâ‚‚ emissions, NOx emissions, and total greenhouse gas emissions as dependent variables, we analyze the role of primary and secondary education in shaping environmental outcomes. Our results confirm the presence of an N-shaped EKC, suggesting that economic growth initially worsens environmental degradation, followed by an improvement, and later a potential rebound in emissions. More importantly, we find that education plays a significant role in environmental dynamics: higher enrolment in both primary and secondary education is associated with increased emissions, particularly in developing economies, possibly due to the expansion of industrial activity and energy consumption linked to a more skilled workforce. However, at higher levels of economic development, education may contribute to environmental awareness, innovation, and policy implementation that foster sustainable practices. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational policies that integrate environmental sustainability to ensure long-term ecological benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Zacharias Bragoudakis & Emmanouil Taxiarchis Gazilas, 2025. "Does primary and secondary education contribute to environmental degradation? evidence from the EKC framework," Working Papers 341, Bank of Greece.
    • Handle: RePEc:bog:wpaper:341
    DOI: 10.52903/wp2025341
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models

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