The impact of air pollution on career changes among Chinese workers
Abstract The influence exerted by air pollution on interregional workforce migration has garnered considerable attention in ecological economics over time; however, relatively scant consideration has been given to its effects on occupational transition dynamics. This study presents an empirical exam...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88239-2 |
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| author | Jinhuang Chen Xuewen Long |
| author_facet | Jinhuang Chen Xuewen Long |
| author_sort | Jinhuang Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The influence exerted by air pollution on interregional workforce migration has garnered considerable attention in ecological economics over time; however, relatively scant consideration has been given to its effects on occupational transition dynamics. This study presents an empirical examination of the influence of air pollution on job changes among the working population and seeks to understand the underlying causal mechanisms. By merging detailed micro-level survey data with regional Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) data from Chinese counties spanning the years 1997 to 2015, we have constructed an extensive database to support our analysis. The study revealed that air pollution has a significant negative impact on the likelihood of career switching. Mechanistic analysis indicates that changes in wage compensation, as well as declines in health status, serve as the primary pathways through which air pollution exerts its influence. To reduce the welfare loss caused by air pollution, it is crucial to prioritize the welfare benefits and health conditions of the labor force. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-58edf5ee122c46d28df6ed9ee0d56a7d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-58edf5ee122c46d28df6ed9ee0d56a7d2025-02-02T12:20:05ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-88239-2The impact of air pollution on career changes among Chinese workersJinhuang Chen0Xuewen Long1School of Economics, Guizhou UniversitySchool of Public Finance and Taxation, Southwestern University of Finance and EconomicsAbstract The influence exerted by air pollution on interregional workforce migration has garnered considerable attention in ecological economics over time; however, relatively scant consideration has been given to its effects on occupational transition dynamics. This study presents an empirical examination of the influence of air pollution on job changes among the working population and seeks to understand the underlying causal mechanisms. By merging detailed micro-level survey data with regional Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) data from Chinese counties spanning the years 1997 to 2015, we have constructed an extensive database to support our analysis. The study revealed that air pollution has a significant negative impact on the likelihood of career switching. Mechanistic analysis indicates that changes in wage compensation, as well as declines in health status, serve as the primary pathways through which air pollution exerts its influence. To reduce the welfare loss caused by air pollution, it is crucial to prioritize the welfare benefits and health conditions of the labor force.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88239-2Air pollutionCareer changeHealth deteriorationPM2.5Wage compensation |
| spellingShingle | Jinhuang Chen Xuewen Long The impact of air pollution on career changes among Chinese workers Scientific Reports Air pollution Career change Health deterioration PM2.5 Wage compensation |
| title | The impact of air pollution on career changes among Chinese workers |
| title_full | The impact of air pollution on career changes among Chinese workers |
| title_fullStr | The impact of air pollution on career changes among Chinese workers |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of air pollution on career changes among Chinese workers |
| title_short | The impact of air pollution on career changes among Chinese workers |
| title_sort | impact of air pollution on career changes among chinese workers |
| topic | Air pollution Career change Health deterioration PM2.5 Wage compensation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88239-2 |
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