How can digital financial inclusion reduces relative poverty? An empirical analysis based on China household finance survey

Abstract

This study identifies the role and mechanism of digital inclusive finance in reducing relative poverty by selecting 2017, 2019, and 2021 China Household Finance Surveys (CHFS) as the research sample. The study finds that digital inclusive financial development can significantly reduce the likelihood of households falling into relative poverty; digital inclusive financial development can alleviate the formal credit constraints to which households are subjected, increase the allocation of risky financial assets to households, and support the entrepreneurial behaviors of rural households, thereby reducing the likelihood of households falling into relative poverty.