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The impact of digital inclusive finance on urban-rural income gap

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  • Yang, Mei
  • Sun, Haolun

Abstract

Drawing on 2011 2023 panel data from multiple Chinese provinces, this study empirically tests the impact of digital inclusive finance (DIF) on the urban-rural income gap (URIG) through the lens of agricultural productive services (APS). The findings indicate that DIF well reduces URIG, though such effect varies across regions and DIF dimensions. Further analysis reveals that DIF narrows income gaps primarily by expanding rural credit access and improving agricultural productivity. Moreover, DIF exhibits notable spatial spillover effects, reducing income inequality within local areas alongside promoting positive externalities in neighboring regions. Consequently, it is essential to boost the localized implementation of high-quality DIF initiatives, leverage spatial spillover effects to foster coordinated regional development, actively bridge the urban-rural digital divide, and further integrate DIF into rural economic revitalization strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Mei & Sun, Haolun, 2026. "The impact of digital inclusive finance on urban-rural income gap," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:92:y:2026:i:c:s1544612326001030
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2026.109572
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