Analysis of the effect of heterogeneous human capital on new urbanization in China

Abstract

The impact of human capital on the process of urbanization is very important. This research aims to examine the effect of heterogeneous human capital on the process of new urbanization and divides human capital into basic human capital, skill-based human capital, and knowledge-based human capital. The 2005–2019 provincial spatial panel data model analyzes the impact of heterogeneous human capital and spatial spillover effects on the process of new urbanization based on distinct spatial weight matrices. The results indicate that the three types of human capital have obvious spatial correlations with the evolution of new urbanization. Basic and skill-based human capital have a significant positive influence on boosting the process of new urbanization, while the influence of knowledge-based human capital is not obvious, and less effect on surrounding cities. In terms of regional heterogeneity, the promotion effect of human capital in the east is higher than that in the middle and west. According to the research, this paper suggests that the government should guarantee the social welfare of basic human capital and skilled human capital, because they are an important force in the construction of urbanization, and weaken the impact of academic qualifications on the introduction of urban talents.