The effect of culture on COVID-19 vaccination acceptance: A review of several European countries

Abstract

This paper looks at the relation between individualism and the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance in 22 European countries during 2020 and 2022. The literature in the fields of behavioural and cultural economics have hypothesised key elements that concern this relationship. While using Hofstede’s cultural index scores as a base, this paper uses Google Trends data to create time variant cultural indicators that capture the effects of individualism and interest in conspiracy theories and fake news. Due to previous academic literature, it is expected that these factors negatively affect a person’s willingness to vaccinate against the virus. By estimating a fixed effects model, it shows that, while controlling for demographics, COVID-19 experiences and institutions, the interest in conspiracy theories and fake news negatively influences vaccination acceptance. Additionally, the effect that interest in fake news has on vaccination acceptance is enhanced when a country is more individualistic. This paper contributes to the knowledge on individualism and its connection to conspiracy theories and fake news during periods of crises and is useful for successful policymaking.