CHOOSING BETWEEN GREEN PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM INDIVIDUAL ATTITUDES

Abstract

This study examines how individuals choose between environmental protection and economic growth using data from the World Values Survey covering 66 countries. The analysis focuses on environmental priority as a binary individual choice and explores how demographic characteristics, socioeconomic position, employment, urban–rural residence, and subjective well-being shape this preference. The results show that education and subjective socioeconomic status are strong predictors of prioritizing environmental protection, while age and place of residence play a limited role once other factors are considered. Individuals with higher life satisfaction and financial satisfaction are more likely to support environmental protection, whereas unemployment and marital responsibilities reduce this likelihood. These findings highlight the importance of economic security and well-being in shaping public support for environmental policy. The study contributes to the literature by offering an integrated, individual-level perspective on the environment–growth trade-off across diverse national contexts.