Life satisfaction and air quality in Europe

Concerns for environmental quality and its impact on people's welfare are fundamental arguments for the adoption of environmental legislation in most countries. In this paper, we analyze the relationship between air quality and subjective well-being in Europe. We use a unique dataset that merges three waves of the European Social Survey with a new dataset on environmental quality including SO2 concentrations and climate in Europe at the regional level. We find a robust negative impact of SO2 concentrations on self-reported life satisfaction.

► We analyze the relationship between air quality (SO2 concentrations) and subjective well-being in Europe. ► We use multi-country, regional data on SO2 concentrations, and climate and macroeconomic controls. ► Regional data are merged with individual data from three waves of the European Social Survey. ► We find a robust negative impact of SO2 concentrations on self-reported life satisfaction.