Examining Urban-Rural Public Service Equalization and Common Prosperity in China: A Data-Driven Study on Regional Disparity

Abstract

Achieving equal access to basic public services between urban and rural areas in China has become an important pathway to eliminating inequality, improving national welfare, and ultimately achieving common prosperity.  Through data analysis and a data-driven approach, it is possible to better guide future policy formulation and implementation to help China achieve its goal of inclusive growth. This research endeavors to examine the interrelations between the discrepancies in basic public services provision in urban and rural areas, establishing a comprehensive evaluation indicator framework, while delving into the intricate dynamics between such service equalization and the attainment of common prosperity. Moreover, it aims to uncover the varying degrees of regional disparities witnessed during the journey to common prosperity in different parts of China, thereby providing valuable insights and references for nations and regions striving to enhance social equality. This study focused on the 31 provincial-level administrative regions of China(excluding the regions of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) The research methodology entails employing the entropy weight method to determine the weights of evaluation indicators, supplemented by a coupling coordination model to analyze the level of harmonization between urban and rural areas. Furthermore, the Dagum Gini coefficient method and kernel density estimation were utilized for an in-depth exploration of the distribution and disparities observed in regional coordination. The findings of this study reveal that between 2012 and 2021, the disparities in the equalization of basic public services between China’s urban and rural areas witnessed a progressive widening, despite modest improvements in the overall level of common prosperity. The prevailing pattern observed can be summarized as “high coupling, low coordination”. Notably, these disparities are particularly conspicuous in the western regions of the country. Additionally, this research identifies the imbalanced development of basic public service equalization between urban and rural areas as the primary cause for the observed low level of coordination. This study emphasized the intrinsic nexus and coordinated interplay existing between the equalization of urban and rural public services and the achievement of common prosperity. To foster enhanced coordination between urban and rural areas, it is imperative to prioritize the implementation of policies that promote the amalgamation of urban and rural realms, while concurrently striking a harmonious balance in the pursuit of multi-dimensional objectives. Furthermore, region-specific policies need to be formulated, with particular attention to addressing the disparities in coordination and the polarization issues prevalent in the western regions, ensuring the effectiveness and precision of these measures.