Long-term reduced agricultural nonpoint source pollution driven by rural population aging

Ming Gao, Fanlue Li, Meili Huan, Run Zhu, Zhaofeng Zheng, Ke He (), Xiaoshi Zhou () and Jinkai Li ()
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Ming Gao: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
Fanlue Li: Huazhong Agricultural University
Meili Huan: China Tourism Academy
Run Zhu: Henan University of Economics and Law
Zhaofeng Zheng: China Agricultural University
Ke He: Huazhong Agricultural University
Xiaoshi Zhou: China Agricultural University
Jinkai Li: China Agricultural University

Palgrave Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract Rural population aging is a major social issue in China, but its impact on agricultural nonpoint source pollution has been largely overlooked by researchers. To explore the relationship between rural population aging and agricultural nonpoint source pollution, we used over 290,000 tracking survey data from the Rural Fixed Observation Points Survey (2003–2021), which is the most representative data set in China, and identified the long-term association between them. We found that rural population aging has a significant reduction effect on agricultural nonpoint source pollution, with each 1% increase in the proportion of elderly people in rural households reducing agricultural nonpoint source pollution by 0.0656%, and this reduction effect gradually weakening over time. This study provides a new perspective and evidence for developing effective policies to mitigate agricultural nonpoint source pollution.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-04748-5

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