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Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of the green talent dividend on China's economic growth and regional differences using a theoretical derivation of the Cobb–Douglas production function. Design/methodology/approach: This study develops a measurement model with human capital based on Chinese inter-provincial panel data for 2001–2017, and analyzes the influences on economic growth of employees' education level, per capita material capital, green labor participation rate and green jobs. The study explores the impact of the green talent dividend on regional economic growth for different regions. Findings: Employees' education level, per capita material capital, green labor participation rate and green jobs promote China's economic growth. The dependency ratio hinders economic growth. The green labor participation rate impacts economic growth more than green jobs do. Furthermore, the scale of green talent in China and its dividend effect are regionally unbalanced. Therefore, to fully release the dividend of green talent, the green labor participation rate should be improved to promote the rational flow of talent among regions. Practical implications: These findings shed light on the talent dividend, provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of relevant talent policies, and show that the demographic dividend can be transformed into the green talent dividend, which has practical significance for the sustainable development of China's economy given its aging population. Originality/value: This study provides a macro perspective on the green talent dividend's impact on economic growth. The Cobb–Douglas production function in this study differs from the traditional micro perspective on green labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]