Estimating the value of a statistical life in China: A contingent valuation study in six representative cities

Abstract

The value of a statistical life (VSL) is a crucial tool for monetizing health impacts. To explore the VSL in China, this study examines people’s willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce death risk from air pollution in six representative cities in China based on face-to-face contingent valuation interviews (n = 3 936) from March 7, 2019 to September 30, 2019. The results reveal that the WTP varied from CNY 455 to 763 in 2019 (USD 66–111), corresponding to a VSL range of CNY 3.79–6.36 million (USD 549 395–921 940). The VSL in China in 2019 is estimated to be CNY 4.76 million (USD 689 659). The statistics indicate that monthly expenditure levels, environmental concerns, risk attitudes, and assumed market acceptance, which have seldom been discussed in previous studies, significantly impact WTP and VSL. These findings will serve as a reference for analyzing mortality risk reduction benefits in future research and for policymaking.