Value, values, and the role of awareness by Sandra Eickmeier published by VOXEU (3/2025).
An increase in people’s awareness may be key to realign (economic) value and (ethical) values. This column investigates whether a mismatch exists between the economic value of a profession and self-reported valuations of selected professions by 2,000 households in Germany. There is a significant gap between the earnings and valuations of professions, with professions that meet basic needs and contribute to society or nature given the highest value. Mismatches between earnings and values are more prevalent among lower-income and lower-education households. Most households wish for these mismatches to be addressed.