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Population aging and regional innovation levels: Based on the mediating effect of research and development inputs

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  • Guo, Wanran
  • Zhong, Daojun

Abstract

This study uses data from 31 provinces and cities in China from 2005 to 2022 to examine the relationship between population aging and regional innovation level, validating the mediating effect of research and development (R&D) investment in this relationship. This empirical study finds that population aging promotes regions to improve their innovation level. R&D investment plays an intermediary role and policy support plays a moderating role in the relationship between population aging and regional innovation level. The impact of population aging on different regional innovation levels is heterogeneous, and unemployment rate hurts regional innovation level.

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  • Guo, Wanran & Zhong, Daojun, 2025. "Population aging and regional innovation levels: Based on the mediating effect of research and development inputs," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:97:y:2025:i:c:s1057521924007312
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2024.103799
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