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The Impacts, Mechanisms, and Patterns of China Rural Collective Economic Development With Common Prosperity for All

Author

Listed:
  • Qingen Gai
  • Zhiqiang He
  • Fangfang Su
  • Wencheng Zhao

Abstract

As a fundamental tenet of socialism with Chinese characteristics, pursuing common prosperity for all entails reducing urban‐rural disparities while simultaneously increasing rural household income. This study utilizes interview and survey data from the “Chinese Thousand Villages Survey” conducted by the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics in 2019 and 2021. We explore the extent to which advancing China's rural collective economy contributes to uplifting rural household incomes by quantitatively assessing the impacts and mechanisms through which rural collective economic development influences rural household income. Our findings reveal that advancing rural collective economies substantially elevates rural household income levels. Specifically, for every 10% increase in rural collective operating income, rural household total annual income rises by 3.08%. Furthermore, rural collective economic development fosters household income growth through the mechanisms of labor allocation, industrial advancement, and revenue distribution. We also use case studies to provide a practical reference for collective economic development patterns, delineating the quintessential patterns of collective economics in China using real‐world examples. We categorize these into four distinct patterns: natural scenery development, rural culture development, land resources leasing, and rural industrial development. This study evaluates the significant role that rural collective economic development plays in augmenting rural household income, offering insights that may serve as a reference for realizing common prosperity.

Suggested Citation

  • Qingen Gai & Zhiqiang He & Fangfang Su & Wencheng Zhao, 2026. "The Impacts, Mechanisms, and Patterns of China Rural Collective Economic Development With Common Prosperity for All," International Studies of Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(1), pages 57-72, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:intsec:v:21:y:2026:i:1:p:57-72
    DOI: 10.1002/ise3.70004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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