The Sustainable Impact of Import on Chinese Residents’ Happiness: Evidence from CGSS

Abstract

In recent years, China’s trade policy has been geared towards expanding imports and enhancing consumer welfare with a focus on sustainability. To investigate the sustainable impact of import trade on the well-being of residents, this study analyzed data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) and import data from the General Administration of Customs of China spanning from 2003 to 2017. Using the Ordered Logit model, the study found that import trade can significantly improve residents’ happiness in a sustainable manner. The impact of import trade on happiness varied among different education and income groups, with higher education and high-income groups showing the most significant effect. Furthermore, imports from G7 countries and sustainable consumer good imports were found to have the most significant positive impact on residents’ happiness. The study suggests that import trade can promote sustainable development by upgrading product quality, increasing income, promoting employment, and improving health levels. These findings hold vital references and guiding significance for the formulation of sustainable trade policies and the realization of sustained high quality for the Chinese economy.