The globalizability of temporal discounting
Authors: Ruggeri Kai , Panin Amma , Vdovic Milica , Većkalov Bojana , Abdul-Salaam Nazeer , Achterberg Jascha , Akil Carla , Amatya Jolly , Amatya Kanchan , Andersen Thomas , Aquino Sibele , Arunasalam Arjoon , Ashcroft-Jones Sarah , Askelund Adrian Dahl , Ayacaxli Nélida , Sheshdeh Aseman Bagheri , Bailey Alexander , Arroyo Paula Barea , Mejía Genaro Basulto , Benvenuti Martina , Berge Mari Louise , Bermaganbet Aliya , Bibilouri Katherine , Bjørndal Ludvig , Black Sabrina , Lyshol Johanna Blomster , Brik Tymofii , Buabang Eike Kofi , Burghart Matthias , Bursalıoğlu Aslı , Buzayu Naos Mesfin , Čadek Martin , de Carvalho Nathalia Melo , Cazan Ana-Maria , Çetinçelik Melis , Chai Valentino , Chen Patricia , Chen Shiyi , Clay Georgia , D'Ambrogio Simone , Damnjanović Kaja , Duffy Grace , Dugue Tatianna , Dwarkanath Twinkle , Envuladu Esther Awazzi , Erceg Nikola , Esteban-Serna Celia , Farahat Eman , Farrokhnia Robert , Fawad Mareyba , Fedryansyah Muhammad , Feng David , Filippi Silvia , Fonollá Matías , Freichel René , Freira Lucia , Friedemann Maja , Gao Ziwei , Ge Suwen , Geiger Sandra , George Leya , Grabovski Iulia , Gracheva Aleksandra , Gracheva Anastasia , Hajian Ali , Hasan Nida , Hecht Marlene , Hong Xinyi , Hubená Barbora , Ikonomeas Alexander , Ilić Sandra , Izydorczyk David , Jakob Lea , Janssens Margo , Jarke Hannes , Kácha Ondřej , Kalinova Kalina Nikolova , Kapingura Forget Mingiri , Karakasheva Ralitsa , Kasdan David , Kemel Emmanuel , Khorrami Peggah , Krawiec Jakub , Lagidze Nato , Lazarević Aleksandra , Lazić Aleksandra , Lee Hyung Seo , Lep Žan , Lins Samuel , Lofthus Ingvild , Macchia Lucía , Mamede Salomé , Mamo Metasebiya Ayele , Maratkyzy Laura , Mareva Silvana , Marwaha Shivika , McGill Lucy , McParland Sharon , Melnic Anișoara , Meyer Sebastian , Mizak Szymon , Mohammed Amina , Mukhyshbayeva Aizhan , Navajas Joaquin , Neshevska Dragana , Niazi Shehrbano Jamali , Nieto Ana , Nippold Franziska , Oberschulte Julia , Otto Thiago , Pae Riinu , Panchelieva Tsvetelina , Park Sun Young , Pascu Daria Stefania , Pavlović Irena , Petrović Marija , Popović Dora , Prinz Gerhard , Rachev Nikolay , Ranc Pika , Razum Josip , Rho Christina Eun , Riitsalu Leonore , Rocca Federica , Rosenbaum R. Shayna , Rujimora James , Rusyidi Binahayati , Rutherford Charlotte , Said Rand , Sanguino Inés , Sarikaya Ahmet Kerem , Say Nicolas , Jakob Jakob , Shiels Mary , Shir Yarden , Sievert Elisabeth D. C. , Soboleva Irina , Solomonia Tina , Soni Siddhant , Soysal Irem , Stablum Federica , Sundström Felicia T. A. , Tang Xintong , Tavera Felice , Taylor Jacqueline , Tebbe Anna-Lena , Thommesen Katrine , Tobias-Webb Juliette , Todsen Anna , Toscano Filippo , Tran Tran , Trinh Jason , Turati Alice , Ueda Kohei , Vacondio Martina , Vakhitov Volodymyr , Valencia Adrianna , Reyn Chiara Van , Venema Tina , Verra Sanne , Vintr Jáchym , Vranka Marek , Wagner Lisa , Wu Xue , Xing Ke Ying , Xu Kailin , Xu Sonya , Yamada Yuki , Yosifova Aleksandra , Zupan Zorana , Garcia-Garzon Eduardo 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Economic inequality is associated with extreme preferences for smaller, immediate gains over larger, delayed ones. This pattern, known as temporal discounting, may feed into rising global inequality, yet it is unclear if it is a function of choice preferences or norms, or rather the absence of sufficient resources to meet immediate needs. It is also not clear if these reflect true differences in choice patterns between income groups. We tested temporal discounting and five intertemporal choice anomalies using local currencies and value standards in 61 countries. Across a diverse sample of 13,629 participants, we found highly consistent rates of choice anomalies. Individuals with lower incomes were not significantly different, but economic inequality and broader financial circumstances impact population choice patterns.