Impact of Labour Productivity Differences on Urban‐Rural Integration Development and Its Spatial Effect: Evidence from a Spatial Durbin Model

Abstract

Lewis’ dual economic structure theory holds that differences in labour productivity affect urban‐rural integration development. Based on this theory, this paper analyses the spatial mechanism of labour productivity affecting the development of urban‐rural integration. A multidimensional index system is constructed to estimate the degree of urban‐rural integration development, and a spatial Durbin model is used to quantitatively analyse the spatial effect between the difference in labour productivity and the development of urban‐rural integration. The results show that there is a significant positive spatial agglomeration phenomenon in urban‐rural integration in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The convergence of labour productivity will not only promote local urban‐rural integration but also inhibit the urban‐rural integration development of other administrative divisions, but it can still play a positive role in promoting the urban–rural integration development of the whole region. Finally, based on the above research conclusions, this paper puts forward three policy suggestions: optimizing the human capital structure, promoting rural industrial integration, and exploring the land reform system.