Does Education Affect Environmental Pollution? An Empirical Analysis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve

Abstract

Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesizes that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental degradation and economic development. Since 1990s, many researchers have empirically analysed the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis. In recent years, although researchers consider additional variables while investigating the validity of this hypothesis the number of studies which take into account education is limited. This study aims to empirically analyse the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis augmented with education in 21 European Union countries over the period 1991-2018. According to the results of the empirical estimations, the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis augmented with tertiary school enrolment holds for the 21 European Union countries under investigation in the long-run.