Research on the Influence of Ecological Environment Satisfaction and Income Level on Chinese Residents’ Happiness: Empirical Analysis Based on CGSS Data

Abstract

Enhancing residents’ happiness is a fundamental goal of development and a priority for government action. This article conducts a theoretical analysis of the impact of the ecological environment and income level on residents’ happiness and uses data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) in 2017 to construct an ordered probit model. The model examines the mechanisms of ecological environment satisfaction and income level on residents’ happiness. The study reveals that (1) residents’ satisfaction with the ecological environment has a significant positive effect on their happiness, which is consistent across urban–rural and regional contexts. (2) Both absolute and relative income have a significant positive effect on residents’ happiness, with relative income having a greater influence than absolute income. (3) Income level can regulate the impact of ecological environment satisfaction on residents’ happiness, indicating that an increase in residents’ income level weakens the effect of ecological environment satisfaction on their happiness. (4) Residents’ absolute income mediates the process by which ecological environment satisfaction impacts their happiness. These findings enhance our understanding of the relationship between the ecological environment, income level, and residents’ happiness, and provide new ideas for government action aimed at improving residents’ happiness.