With the rapid development of information technology, the digital economy has become an important engine driving global economic growth. The digital economy in the Pearl River Delta region of China is developing rapidly, and its contribution to regional economic growth is becoming more and more significant. The issue of whether the rapid development of the digital economy can narrow the urban-rural income gap has attracted much attention. This paper systematically examines the relationship between the digital economy and the urban-rural income gap through a combination of theoretical and empirical analyses, and takes the Pearl River Delta region as an example for in-depth analysis. Theoretical analysis reveals that the development of the digital economy has a dual impact on the urban-rural income gap, with both narrowing and widening effects. Regression analysis based on mixed OLS indicates that the development of the digital economy in the Pearl River Delta has significantly narrowed the urban-rural income gap, indicating that the narrowing effect of the digital economy on the income gap outweighs the widening effect. Based on the research conclusions, this paper proposes policy recommendations such as strengthening the construction of rural digital infrastructure, cultivating and introducing digital talent in rural areas, promoting rural digital inclusive finance, and driving the deep integration of the digital economy with traditional agriculture. These recommendations aim to narrow the urban-rural income gap in the Pearl River Delta region and promote coordinated development between urban and rural areas.

Yang Xiaojin, Wu Luzhen. Research on the Impact of the Digital Economy on the Urban-Rural Income Gap in the Pearl River Delta Region. Academic Journal of Business & Management (2024) Vol. 6, Issue 10: 239-246. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJBM.2024.061035.

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