Abstract:
Digital inclusive finance, a result of the profound integration between inclusive finance and advanced digital technologies, is progressively emerging as a key driver for fostering high-quality rural development and achieving agricultural modernization. Based on the data from 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China spanning from 2011 to 2022, This study explored a thorough understanding of its impact on rural revitalization, employing both fixed effect models and mediation effect assessments. The findings indicated that, advancements in digital inclusive finance positively correlated with enhancements in rural revitalization. Additionally, through mediation analysis, we discovered that, digital inclusive finance bolstered rural revitalization by refining industrial structures and boosting e-commerce development. A regional analysis revealed that, the beneficial effects of digital inclusive finance were most pronounced in the eastern region, whereas they were less significant in the central and western regions and even detrimental in the northeast. Notably, the influence of digital inclusive finance had transitioned from being insignificant to significant around the issuance of the Plan for Promoting the Development of Inclusive Finance (2016-2020).