Research on the Impact of Environmental Inequality on Labor Mobility—A Study Based on the China General Social Survey (CGSS)

Zhaoting Xing, Jin Guo (), Zizhen Zhang, Ting Xue, Ming Yang and Wenzong Wu
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Zhaoting Xing: College of Economics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Jin Guo: Data Development Department, Zhejiang Economic & Information Centre, Hangzhou 310012, China
Zizhen Zhang: College of Economics, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China
Ting Xue: College of Economics, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China
Ming Yang: China Center for Special Economic Zone Research, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Wenzong Wu: China Center for Special Economic Zone Research, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-18

Abstract: In recent years, as the capital-driven economic growth model gradually encounters bottlenecks and regional economic competition intensifies, governments at all levels have turned to attracting high-quality talent to promote economic transformation and upgrading. Against this backdrop, the quality of the ecological environment has gradually become an important factor affecting labor mobility. This paper explores the impact of environmental inequality on labor mobility by matching provincial and municipal data with micro-data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), especially focusing on how environmental inequality affects labor decision-making through cognitive and non-cognitive abilities. The results from the benchmark regression confirm that environmental inequality significantly suppresses labor mobility, while robustness tests further validate these findings. Additionally, the mediation mechanism analysis reveals that environmental inequality influences labor mobility through impairments in both cognitive and non-cognitive abilities. The study also conducts an analysis of the heterogeneity of different social groups, finding that environmental inequality has a particularly significant impact on groups with higher levels of education, property owners, and residents living in economically disadvantaged areas. Based on this, the paper puts forward policy recommendations for different groups, emphasizing the importance of optimizing environmental quality, improving education levels, and enhancing the social support system. The research conclusions provide theoretical support for local governments in enhancing regional competitiveness and attracting high-quality labor.

Keywords: environmental inequality; labor mobility; mechanism of influence; heterogeneity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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