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Population Ageing and the Environment: A Comparative Study of Nature-Concerning and Action-Requiring Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Irmen

    (DEM, Université du Luxembourg)

  • Maria Krelifa

    (DEM, Université du Luxembourg)

  • Anastasia Litina

    (University of Macedonia)

Abstract

We study an under-explored implication of population ageing, i. e., its effect on country-level environmental outcomes and on individual-level environmental attitudes. In doing so, we propose a novel classification of country-level environmental outcomes, namely action-requiring and nature-concerning. The borderline between these two categories lies in the level of civic engagement required to fulfill them. Using panel data from a broad set of countries (1995–2018), we find that population ageing is linked to improvements in environmental outcomes that require minimal civic engagement, while it shows no clear association with outcomes that depend on active participation. Analysis of survey data (2006–2016) further suggests that living in ageing societies lowers individuals’ environmental engagement, without affecting underlying environmental concern

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Irmen & Maria Krelifa & Anastasia Litina, 2025. "Population Ageing and the Environment: A Comparative Study of Nature-Concerning and Action-Requiring Outcomes," DEM Discussion Paper Series 25-08, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.
    • Handle: RePEc:luc:wpaper:25-08
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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/10993/64893
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luke Gibson & Tien Ming Lee & Lian Pin Koh & Barry W. Brook & Toby A. Gardner & Jos Barlow & Carlos A. Peres & Corey J. A. Bradshaw & William F. Laurance & Thomas E. Lovejoy & Navjot S. Sodhi, 2011. "Primary forests are irreplaceable for sustaining tropical biodiversity," Nature, Nature, vol. 478(7369), pages 378-381, October.
    2. Daron Acemoglu & Pascual Restrepo, 2022. "Demographics and Automation," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 89(1), pages 1-44.
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    4. Lau, Lin-Sea & Choong, Chee-Keong & Eng, Yoke-Kee, 2014. "Carbon dioxide emission, institutional quality, and economic growth: Empirical evidence in Malaysia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 276-281.
    5. Yan Wang & Feng Hao & Yunxia Liu, 2021. "Pro-Environmental Behavior in an Aging World: Evidence from 31 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • Q59 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Other
    • Z19 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Other

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