The Dual Impact and Spatial Spillover Effects of the Digital Economy on Urban–Rural Integration

With the advent of the information age, the digital economy has become an important force in promoting economic and social development; however, its impact on urban–rural relations remains controversial. The primary objective of this paper is to conduct a comparative analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution trends of both the digital economy and urban–rural integration in China. It focuses on exploring the spatial spillover effects and dual effects of the digital economy on urban–rural integration. Utilizing comprehensive data from 31 provinces spanning from 2000 to 2021, this paper employs multiple econometric models to analyze the intricate relationship between these two phenomena. The key findings indicate that, in the short term, the digital economy has a dampening effect on urban–rural integration, with an estimated total short-term impact of −4.21. Conversely, in the long run, the digital economy significantly fosters urban–rural integration, exhibiting a long-term effect of 0.47. Moreover, the digital economy exhibits notable spatial spillover effects, influencing adjacent areas through mechanisms such as technology diffusion and knowledge dissemination. This spatial spillover effect is pronounced within a radius of one to two provinces or approximately 540 km and gradually diminishes as the distance increases. This paper provides a new perspective for understanding the complex relationship between the digital economy and urban–rural integration with an important reference value for promoting coordinated urban–rural development in China.