When do Default Nudges Work?

TL;DR

This study investigates how the effectiveness of nudges varies across groups with different intrinsic incentives, using Covid-19 vaccination data in Sweden, revealing nudges are more effective for less personally meaningful choices.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the differential effectiveness of nudges based on intrinsic incentives, using regional vaccine rollout variations in Sweden.

Findings

Younger group responds more strongly to nudges.

Nudges are more effective when choices are less meaningful.

Evidence supports theory that nudges work better for less personally relevant decisions.

Abstract

Nudging is a burgeoning topic in science and in policy, but evidence on the effectiveness of nudges among differentially-incentivized groups is lacking. This paper exploits regional variations in the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine in Sweden to examine the effect of a nudge on groups whose intrinsic incentives are different: 16-17-year-olds, for whom Covid-19 is not dangerous, and 50-59-year-olds, who face a substantial risk of death or severe dis-ease. We find a significantly stronger response in the younger group, consistent with the theory that nudges are more effective for choices that are not meaningful to the individual.