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Digital economy, agricultural loans, and urban–rural income gap

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  • Zheng, Lei
  • Liu, Ying

Abstract

Based on provincial sample data from 2010 to 2022, this paper investigates the impact of agricultural loans on the urban–rural income disparity and the underlying mechanisms from the perspective of digital economy development. Findings reveal that higher levels of agricultural loans increase urban–rural income disparity. Furthermore, they exhibit a mitigating regulatory mechanism that is caused by the development of digital economy. Notably, the alleviating effect of agricultural loans on the urban–rural income disparity was observed to be more significant in groups with higher income disparities than those with lower disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng, Lei & Liu, Ying, 2025. "Digital economy, agricultural loans, and urban–rural income gap," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:77:y:2025:i:c:s1544612325002983
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.107034
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    References listed on IDEAS

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