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This study aims to investigate the influence of digital financial inclusion on China's urban–rural income disparity. A comparative analysis on income differences between western and eastern regions in China was conducted in this paper. The study utilized a static panel approach as it consisted of 22 provinces in China that covered the period from 2011 to 2020. This paper employs Stata software for the data analysis. The dependent variable of this study is the urban–rural income gap. Meanwhile, the independent variables consist of the total index level, breadth of coverage, depth of use, degree of digitization, digital payment level, digital insurance level, and digital credit level. The control variables employed in this article are education level, financial support, economic transformation, technological progress, and trade openness. The empirical outcomes indicate that the seven independent variables potentially minimize the urban–rural income gap between the two regions. However, digital financial inclusion appears to have a more significant effect in lessening the urban–rural gap in the western region compared to the eastern region in China. The findings demonstrate that all the variables exhibit a higher degree of influence on the urban–rural income differences in the west than in the east, except for the credit index. The outcome reveals that the effect of the credit index in the western region (0.10%) is slightly lower than the eastern region (0.11%). In general, the present findings can provide valuable insights for policy makers in their efforts to address the urban–rural income gap in the two regions through the implementation of digital financial inclusion initiatives. The study should be conducted regularly to observe the trend of the income disparities between the western and eastern regions in China. Future studies can also focus on other regions or narrow the focus to provincial and city levels to capture more detailed information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically tests the relationship between digital finance and income distribution of residents in 280 cities in China from 2011 to 2020 using linear and nonlinear models, respectively. Based on the Greenwood-Jovanovic (G-J) theory of output grow, the empirical study shows that there is a Kuznets effect of digital finance development on the income distribution of Chinese residents, and most regions have not yet crossed the inflection point of the bell-shaped curve, and the income gap within regions will continue to increase with the development of digital finance. Furthermore, the threshold model test shows that the positive effect of digital finance on the income disparity of residents may initially increase with the increase of regional economic level. However, when the regional economic development reaches a higher stage, the negative effect of digital finance development on the income distribution of residents will be significantly reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the statistical data of 280 prefectural-level cities in China from 2011 to 2020, this paper empirically tests the relationship between digital finance and residents' income in a linear and nonlinear model based on the G-J model theory, respectively. The study aims to discuss and analyze the impact of digital finance development on income distribution in the context of the current situation of digital finance development in China and further explore how to make digital finance better regulate the income distribution of residents. The innovation of this paper is to use two nonlinear methods to verify the Kuznets effect and threshold characteristics of digital financial development affecting the income distribution of residents based on linear analysis and explore the relationship between n digital economic development the current income gap more comprehensively. The study shows a Kuznets effect of digital finance development on the income distribution of Chinese residents. Thus, most regions in China have not yet crossed the inflection point of the bell-shaped curve, and the income gap within areas will continue to increase with the development of digital finance. By constructing a threshold model, it is found that the positive effect of digital finance on income disparity may initially increase with the increase of regional economic level. Still, when the regional economic development reaches a higher stage, the effect will tend to fall back. As a result, the negative impact of digital finance development on residents' income distribution will be significantly reduced at that time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new service system of finance, inclusive finance emphasizes on better meeting the needs of people's livelihood at a reasonable and affordable cost. Inclusive finance can effectively solve the problems existing in the process of high-quality economic development by promoting regional coordinated development and narrowing the income gap between urban and rural areas. Firstly, this paper constructs the inclusive financial development level measurement index system and high-quality economic development measurement index system, uses these two index systems to measure the development of inclusive finance and high-quality economy of the Yangtze River Delta in China from 2010 to 2019, and then empirically analyzes the impact of Inclusive Finance on high-quality economic development in the Yangtze River Delta by using the panel threshold model. The results show that the inclusive financial development level and high-quality economic development level of cities under the jurisdiction of the Yangtze River Delta have increased steadily year by year, but the development level differentiation among different cities is obvious. Inclusive finance has a threshold effect on high-quality economic development. When the inclusive finance index is lower than 0.358, inclusive finance is not conducive to high-quality economic development. When the inclusive financial development index is between 0.358 and 0.522, inclusive finance promotes high-quality economic development, but the effect is weak. When the inclusive financial development index is greater than 0.522, inclusive finance can significantly promote high-quality economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of FDI along with domestic physical investment and human capital on the regional income, and their role in the regional income convergence within the Czech economy over the periods from 1998-99 to 2013-14. The paper considers 14 regions of the Czech Republic and uses panel fixed effect regression and dynamic panel growth framework for the empirical analysis. The result finds that the role of physical capital formation and FDI along with the human capital are crucial for the regional disparity in income in the Czech Republic. There is also evidence of the convergence of per capita income at the speed of 7.8 per cent among the regions by conditioning physical investment and human capital along with FDI. This paper suggests that regional disparity in income can be reduced by the equitable allocation of investment and FDI, and equal development of human capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose ― The paper queries the impacts of income inequality on economic growth in selected advanced and emerging market economies by adopting nonlinearity and endogeneity. Methods ― This research analysis is based on a balanced panel from 1996 to 2018 and employs the dynamic panel threshold analysis after baseline estimations with the fixed-effect, system Generalized Method of Moments, and difference Generalized Method of Moments. Findings ― This study finds a nonlinearity between income inequality and economic growth. Income inequality has a significant threshold effect on the growth of both panels. Besides, the threshold effect of emerging market countries is higher than the level for advanced countries. This means emerging market economies are negatively affected above the estimated threshold value according to the advanced economies. Implication ― This paper supports that inequality may harm much more economic growth above a specific level. On the other hand, these distorting effects are related to the other economic issues of countries, such as government spending, inflation, export of goods and services, gross fixed capital formation, and foreign direct investment. Originality ― This paper contributes to the literature by focusing on the nonlinear effects of income inequality and different aspects of economic growth above or below the estimated threshold value, thereby providing cross-country comparability and endogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background: Intensive economic growth in Russian regions during recent decades has been associated with numerous environmental issues, particularly increasing CO2 emissions, as well as income inequality. To achieve sustainable development, it is necessary to resolve these issues. Purpose of the article: To shed light on the impact of income inequality on CO2 emissions based on Russian regional data covering the years 2004-2018. Methods: Gini index and decile dispersion ratio are used to measure income inequality. To study the impact of income inequality on CO2 emissions in the Russian regions, we estimate econometric models with fixed and random effects and apply GMM method. We test the hypothesis of the environmental Kuznets curve to determine the impact of economic growth on CO2 emissions. Findings & value added: The results show that CO2 emissions increase in tandem with growth in income inequality between 10% of people with the lowest income and 10% of people with the highest income. Simultaneously, CO2 emissions decrease with growth of Gini coefficient. The hypothesis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve was confirmed based on GMM method. Our findings underscore that the activities of the extraction and manufacturing sectors, as well as energy consumption, increase CO2 emissions. The chief significance of this paper is the finding that large income gap between extremely rich and extremely poor population cohorts increases CO2 emissions. This implies that economic policy aimed at reducing income inequality in Russian regions will also reduce CO2 emissions, especially if accompanied by increased use of environmentally friendly technologies. From the international perspective, our research can be extended to study other countries and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the behavior of the Economic Fitness indicator as a measure of the international competitiveness of Latin American economies, as well as an indicator of their relationship with per capita income gaps and the Human Development Index (HDI). Positive correlations were found between per capita income gaps and the stagnation of the international competitiveness of Latin American economies, as well as between human development levels and the productive structure, suggesting a causal relationship between human development and competitiveness. This paper also finds that the Economic Fitness indicator fluctuates significantly when estimated using exports in domestic value-added, suggesting that the original estimate may over- or underestimate competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews catch-up growth in various parts of the world, especially in the twentieth century, with a particular focus on what this implies for the Global South. In 1950, US per capita national income, adjusted for purchasing power, was nearly five times the world average. Since then, Western Europe and Japan have closed their per capita income gaps with the USA. East Asia, South Asia and some other developing countries have also started to close their gaps with the West in recent decades. Thus, after well over a century of growing international economic disparities or divergence, the world has witnessed an era of uneven catching up with the North in parts of the South since the mid-twentieth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study utilizes provincial panel data from China spanning the period from 2011 to 2020 to assess the coupled and coordinated development of spatial functions related to production, life, and ecology (PLE) in rural areas. The assessment is based on quantifying the spatial function indices for PLE in China's rural regions. Additionally, it examines the characteristics of their spatial and temporal evolution, spatial correlation, and driving factors. The findings indicate a modest upward trend in the spatial coupling and coordination levels of these functions across rural China, although a significant proportion of provinces still exhibit a near-disordered decline. Exploratory spatial data analysis reveals a geographical disparity, with higher levels of coupled and coordinated development observed in the eastern regions, lower levels in the west, and noticeable spatial clustering. By employing the spatial Durbin model to investigate the determinants of coupling degrees, we discovered that factors such as regional economic development, urbanization, the urban–rural income gap, financial support for agriculture, science and technology investment level, and agricultural structural adjustments significantly influence the spatial coupling of rural PLE functions. Furthermore, using the geographic detector model, the analysis identifies science and technology investment level, economic development, and financial support for agriculture as key drivers influencing the spatial coupling and coordination of these functions. These findings provide valuable reference points for policies and strategies related to rural management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper starts by tracing how Singapore's path of incessant economic upgrading and restructuring over the decades has led to the emergence of a two-speed dual economy characterized by falling productivity and a widening income gap. This is followed by an in-depth analysis of government efforts to foster absolute inclusive growth through redistribution against recent suggestions of building relative inclusive growth through more equitable distribution of gains from economic development using a wage-shock approach. Finally, the paper explains why the Government's strategy of linking wage adjustments to productivity growth may be no panacea to bridging the income gap and how relative inclusive growth can be better achieved by adopting a more incremental approach of wage adjustments, starting first with businesses and workers providing non-critical services in non-tradable sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper's main objective was to explore the determinant factors of income inequality in the European Union using panel data regression model with data ranging from 2000 to 2019. The study observed that education plays an important role in reducing the value of Gini indicator, a measuring index for income inequality. If the countries' focus would be on increasing the level of education, equal opportunities for all children, both urban and rural and access to resources that allow them to complete the primary and secondary cycle, then we can talk about a halving of Gini, implicitly a substantial reduction of the income inequality gap. This study also agrees with the current belief that urbanization and openness to foreign trade lead to a decrease in the value of the indicator, but not as significant as education. Furthermore, the relationship between Gini and unemployment is positive. A degradation in the unemployment structure contributes to increasing inequality. The income gap is more visible in emerging economies, where the policies are not carefully implemented among the citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study challenges the traditional reliance on GDP as the sole indicator of the success of the EU's cohesion policy, aligning with the evolving academic discourse that calls for a broader spectrum of metrics incorporating social factors. The research aims to assess the impact of cohesion on economic performance and social progress at the regional level in Central and Eastern European countries, using regression analysis on panel data. Inspired by the call to move beyond GDP-focused assessments, this research re-evaluates cohesion policy within an expanded framework that prioritizes economic and social dimensions. Specifically, it addresses the escalating concerns of income disparity and poverty in Central and Eastern European nations. Utilizing panel data regression models, this study scrutinizes data from 2007 to 2018, covering two recent programming periods, to offer a comprehensive, multifaceted analysis of the impact of cohesion policy. It underscores the policy's dual role in spurring economic growth and fostering social progress, particularly in mitigating income inequality and reducing poverty. The findings reveal that cohesion policies positively affect both economic performance and social progress, with notable impacts on narrowing the income gap and alleviating poverty in these regions. However, the economic benefits for poverty reduction materialize over a prolonged period, reflecting the gradual nature of policy impact and the time needed for investments to materialize. The study emphasizes the need for a long-term strategic vision in implementing cohesion policies. This includes enhanced data collection, a deeper focus on the social ramifications of policies, streamlined policy processes, capacity building, institutional strengthening, and prioritizing equitable opportunities to bridge income gaps effectively. This comprehensive approach aims to maximize the dual benefits of cohesion policies, promoting balanced economic and social progress across Central and Eastern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adjustment of industrial structure not only is an important driving force of economic development but also affects the income gap between urban and rural areas through the effect of resource allocation. Based on this, this article constructs an index of the adjustment range and adjustment quality of the industrial structure. The results show that the adjustment of industrial structure in the eastern region has significantly promoted economic catch-up but inhibited the widening of the income gap between urban and rural areas. The adjustment range and quality of industrial structure in central China has promoted economic catch-up, but the adjustment quality has inhibited economic catch-up. In the western region, the adjustment range and quality of the industrial structure have restrained the regional economy from catching up and expanding the income gap between urban and rural areas. In the eastern and central regions, economic catch-up and the narrowing of the urban-rural income gap significantly promote each other, while in the western region, economic catch-up and the urban-rural income gap significantly promote each other. This shows that both economic development and people's livelihood improvement can be achieved in economically developed areas but not in underdeveloped areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall relation of urban-rural income inequality to economic growth is complex. As the widening income gap between urban and rural areas, the rural residents are unwilling and unable to invest in human capital, which restricts China's long-term economic growth. By empirically analyzing Chinese provincial panel data from 1995 to 2012, we find the material capital investment and the human capital investment have highly significantly positive coefficients for explaining economic growth, however, the urban-rural income disparity is significantly negative for the human capital investment, moreover, the change shows that there is a negative influence of urban-rural income disparity on the economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is in a critical period of economic transformation currently. However, it is still facing the widening urban-rural income gap and the deterioration of air quality. It not only hinders the construction of urban-rural integration but also restricts the pace of moving from economic growth to high-quality economic development severely. We use PM2.5 concentration to characterize the degree of air pollution and construct a quantile regression model to empirically analyze the urban-rural income gap and air pollution by using Chinese provincial panel data from 2005 to 2018. The main findings are as follows: (1) the urban-rural income gap does not change the shape of the EKC (Environmental Kuznets Curve), but delays the decoupling of economic growth from air pollution. (2) By extending the EKC curve, there is a significant positive U-shaped curve relationship between the urban-rural income gap and air pollution. The urban-rural income gap is a "stumbling block" for air pollution when the urban-rural Thiel index is less than 0.03, but it is a "stepping stone" for air pollution when it exceeds 0.03. Narrowing the urban-rural income gap will enhance the willingness of society as a whole to pay for the environment. (3) The regional heterogeneity results show that the eastern region is consistent with the national regression results. The central region has a positive U-shaped trend, although it is not significant statistically. Western region shows a significant positive linear characteristic. • The relationship between the urban-rural income gap and air pollution is explored. • The extended EKC model is used in this paper. • Moderate income gap between urban and rural areas is a stumbling block to air pollution control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the latest available data and semiparametric methods, we investigate how human and physical capital accumulation affects the relationship between income inequality and subsequent economic growth. We find that higher income inequality generally reduces economic growth over the next 5-year period. Within nations possessing little human capital, this inequality-growth penalty is exacerbated by higher levels of physical capital, thus implying that as the returns to human capital rise relative to physical capital, inequality becomes more harmful to growth. This inequality-growth pattern does not hold in well educated nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]