Environmental protection versus economic growth in the views of Muslims: a large sample of empirical evidence

Purpose This research aims to examine the impact of religiosity and other control variables on Muslims’ environmental preservation and economic growth choices in 33 nations. Design/methodology/approach The study uses data from the World Values Survey (Waves 4–7) with a large sample size of 30,242 individuals. Logistic regression analysis is used to analyze the data, and the robustness principle is applied using the marginal effect of interaction variables method to select a viable model. Findings This study reveals that different aspects of religiosity – cognitive, affective and behavioral – positively impact the tendency of Muslims in 33 countries to prioritize environmental protection over economic progress. However, these influences vary significantly, as seen through odds ratios. In essence, the degree of religious devotion in these nations affects individuals’ leaning toward environmental preservation. This impact is further shaped by other factors such as politics, governance, economic development, environmental measures and legal frameworks. Practical implications The practical implication of this study is the development of an alternative theory that explains the conditions and categories under which religious beliefs and attitudes can influence the preferences of Muslims concerning environmental issues and economic growth. Originality/value This study fills a void in the body of literature by examining the nonlinear relationship between religiosity and individual Muslim preferences for environmental preservation and economic growth. It offers a framework for comprehending religion’s impact on Muslims’ redistributive individual preferences in these fields.