Research on the Impact Mechanism and Empirical Study of the Digital Economy on Rural Revitalization in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

As a new engine of China’s economic development, the digital economy is playing an important role in rural revitalization. Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus epidemic, there is a lack of recent empirical research on the digital economy and rural revitalization and development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Based on the provincial panel data of 11 provinces in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2014 to 2022, this paper calculates the comprehensive development level of the digital economy and rural revitalization and conducts a benchmark regression on their relationship. The results of the heterogeneity analysis show that the impact of the digital economy on rural revitalization in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River is stronger than that in the lower reaches. Then we adopt the Moran index and spatial Durbin model for further regression analysis, and find that there is a spatial autocorrelation between the digital economy and rural revitalization. The digital economy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt has a spatial spillover effect on rural revitalization. To effectively harness the digital economy’s role in advancing rural revitalization, it is crucial to tailor resource allocation to local conditions, implement targeted policies, and establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system. This strategy aims to facilitate the seamless integration of the digital economy with rural revitalization, thereby achieving synergistic effects and promoting comprehensive, sustainable development in both economic and social dimensions.