Examining the Influence of Urban-Rural Public Service Equalization on the Income Gap through a Human Capital Perspective
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62381/E244903
Author(s)
Jianjing Huang, Hao Liang*
Affiliation(s)
College of Humanities and Foreign Languages, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
*Corresponding author.
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of enhancement of equity in public services on urban-rural economic divide from a human capital perspective. By employing panel data from 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly) in China from 2012 to 2021, the empirical results demonstrate that Urban-Rural Public Service Equalization significantly narrows urban-rural economic divide. Human capital acts as a mediator between Urban-Rural Public Service Equalization and income disparities. By promoting human capital accumulation among rural residents, Urban-rural economic divide enhance their labor productivity and, consequently, reduce income disparities. Based on these findings, this study proposes recommendations to further promote the urban-rural economic divide and optimize resource allocation, aiming to achieve coordinated urban-rural development and income equality.
Keywords
Urban-Rural Economic Divide; Human Capital; Rural-Urban Income Inequality; Mediation Effect
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