Effect and Mechanism of Bridging Digital Divide on Rural Inclusive Growth

Based on the data of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), multidimensional indicator system is constructed at the micro level to measure bridging digital divide and inclusive growth of rural households, and effect of bridging digital divide on rural inclusive growth is examined. Research findings show that: (1) Bridging digital divide has a significant positive effect on rural inclusive growth, and effects on income growth, equitable development and welfare level are all significantly positive. Bridging digital divide can drive rural inclusive growth through promoting employment level and education level. (2) In rural areas, effect of individual operation on inclusive growth is not significant, indicating that individual operation fails to promote inclusive growth in rural areas. Healthy householders have a significant negative impact on inclusive growth, probably because this group of people tend to shift off-farm and move up the economic ladder. (3) For eastern, central and western regions of China, effect of bridging digital divide on inclusive growth is the most significant in western regions. The regional economic development level moderates the enabling effect of bridging digital divide. The degree of bridging digital divide has a significant positive long-term impact on rural inclusive growth in all three regions, in which the western region demonstrating the most prominent long-term promotion effect.