The Digital Economy Promotes Rural Revitalization: An Empirical Analysis of Xinjiang in China

Abstract

The digital economy now plays a pivotal role in reshaping the global economic structure and optimizing the allocation of resources. With the popularization of digital technology in rural areas, the impact of the digital economy on rural development is also increasing. In order to explore the impact of the digital economy on rural revitalization in Xinjiang of China, this study constructed an indicator system based on the data from 14 prefectures or cities (of the same administrative level as the prefectures) in Xinjiang from 2013 to 2019. The entropy weight method and coupling coordination degree (CCD) model were used to analyze the digital economy level (DEL) and rural revitalization level (RRL) in Xinjiang, and the relationship between the digital economy and rural revitalization was emphasized. Finally, the obstacle degree model was used to reveal the factors that hinder the coupled and coordinated development between the digital economy and rural revitalization. The research shows that: (1) Xinjiang’s DEL generally increased steadily, and digital economy development in 14 prefectures or cities had strong spatial heterogeneity. At the same time, Xinjiang’s RRL showed similar characteristics. (2) The CCD between the two systems was increasing, and the regional distribution features of high-level CCD were in northern Xinjiang and low-level CCD in southern Xinjiang. The coupling coordination was in its infancy, but the interaction between the two systems was increasing, and the development prospect was broad. (3) Overall, the main obstacle affecting the CCD between the digital economy and rural revitalization was the digital infrastructure among four factors, including digital investment, thriving businesses, social etiquette and civility, and effective governance. The degree of this obstacle varied in different phases of coupling coordination development.