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Digital inclusive finance, consumer consumption and high-quality economic development

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  • Wei Li
  • Hui Wang
  • Lu Zhang
  • Runchen Liu

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and China’s pursuit of the "double circulation" strategy, scholars are increasingly focusing on ensuring high-quality economic development in China. In this regard, digital inclusive finance and consumer consumption are of utmost significance. This study employs panel data from 30 provinces and cities spanning 2011 to 2020 to explore the impact of digitized inclusive finance on consumer consumption and high-quality economic development through a spatial econometric model. Our findings indicate that integrating digital finance with consumer consumption and economic development fosters high-quality economic growth. Furthermore, our semi-parametric spatial lag model suggests a nonlinear relationship between digital inclusive finance and high-quality economic growth, shaped like an inverted "U". Additionally, we examine the mediating effect of consumer consumption on the relationship between digital inclusive finance and high-quality economic development. Our results reveal a substitution effect between digital inclusive financing and consumer consumption in promoting high-quality economic development. Therefore, it is essential to promote the development of digital inclusive finance, harness its positive spillover effects between regions, and encourage an increase in consumer consumption to optimize the consumption structure, upgrade and adjust the industrial structure, and spur growth in emerging industries.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Li & Hui Wang & Lu Zhang & Runchen Liu, 2023. "Digital inclusive finance, consumer consumption and high-quality economic development," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(8), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0285695
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285695
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhengren Luo & Pick Schen Yip & Robert Brooks, 2025. "Bridging Digital Finance and ESG Success: The Role of Financing Constraints, Innovation, and Governance," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-24, June.
    2. Shuaihang Yi & Ying Qi & Yongxiang Ya & Jiaying Shi & Yiniu Cui, 2024. "The impact of China’s digital inclusive financial development gap on the optimization of rural consumption structure," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(8), pages 1-26, August.

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