Who Acts on Climate Concern? Socio‐Demographic Patterns of the Concern–Behaviour Gap in Hungary

ABSTRACT Climate concern is widespread, yet it does not necessarily translate into pro‐climate action. This study examines the concern–behaviour gap using data from a nationally representative survey of 3013 Hungarian adults. Rather than relying on a single indicator of concern, we first restrict the analysis to respondents who accept the reality of climate change and acknowledge a human contribution and then identify climate‐concerned respondents through six complementary operationalisations ranging from general evaluations to concerns about specific future consequences. Pro‐climate action is measured through three environmentally motivated behaviours. Six binary logistic regression models are used to examine which socio‐demographic characteristics distinguish concerned respondents who report action from those who remain inactive. The results show a substantial concern–behaviour gap across all six operationalisations of climate concern. Educational attainment, subjective financial situation and type of residence are consistently associated with pro‐climate action, whereas gender and age show little robust relationship. Importantly, this pattern remains stable across different operationalisations of concern. The findings suggest that the concern–behaviour gap is socially patterned and that widespread climate concern alone cannot be assumed to translate into action.